Treatment of thrombosis by sequential therapy with ancrod followed by streptokinase. Clinical pharmacology and rheology.

The effects of sequential therapy with ancrod followed by streptokinase are reported in a series of patients with thrombotic disease. Measurements have been made in blood coagulation, fibrinolysis and whole blood and plasma viscosity. Intravenous infusion of ancrod resulted in a significant reduction in plasma fibrinogen which was associated with highly significant reduction in both plasma and whole blood viscosity. Sequential therapy with streptokinase resulted in a gradual rise in fibrinogen and a slight but significant rise in whole blood and plasma viscosity. All patients showed clinical improvement and no haemorrhagic complications resulted.