Thrombo-embolic phenomena in severe asthma. Use of heparin for prevention and treatment in patients receiving ACTH or gluco-steroids.

Coagulation times and protamine titration values for heparin are apt to be lower than average in patients with allergic disease, particularly asthma. Severe asthma is commonly treated with gluco-corticoids or ACTH. Prolonged high dosage of gluco-corticoids, either endogenous or exogenous, depresses mast cell function and heparin production. Thrombo-embolic phenomena occur frequently in severe cases of asthma so treated, particularly if predisposing vascular disease is present. Heparin can be used to treat and prevent these complications. Adjuvant antiasthmatic effects under these conditions are noted in addition to the desired anticoagulation.