[Evaluation of the prevention of perioperative thromboembolism with low molecular weight heparin and dihydroergotamine. A study of the incidence of lethal pulmonary embolisms and undesired symptoms, especially the risk of vasospasm and myocardial infarction].

In a prospective trial 33,421 patients receiving a combination of low molecular weight heparin and dihydroergotamine (LMWH/DHE; Embolex NM) as a routine antithrombotic agent were observed. The patients were recruited from surgical, traumatological, orthopedic, gynecological and urological departments. During the observation period 17 patients suffered from myocardial infarction leading to death in 7 cases. In 63 patients pulmonary embolism occurred, causing death in 12 cases. No irreversible vasospastic reaction due to DHE was seen. In one case a reversible ischaemic reaction in a lower limb was described which might have possibly been due to DHE. The low rate of complications suggests that LMWH/DHE is a safe and highly effective combination with a low risk of vasospastic reactions.