Prophylaxis of recurrent deep venous thrombosis. A randomized, prospective study using indobufen and graduated elastic compression stockings.

After an episode of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) 224 patients were randomized into four groups: a control group (A; 63 subjects); one receiving prophylaxis with indobufen (B; 60 patients)--an oral antiplatelet agent; one using graduated elastic compression stockings (C; 53); and one receiving prophylaxis with both indobufen and graduated stockings (D; 48). Patients were monitored over a three-year period with color duplex scanning repeated every three months. In 46% of the controls there was at least one episode of recurrent DVT (RDVT). In patients receiving indobufen (group B) and using graduated compression stockings (group C) the incidence of RDVT was significantly lower (5% and 9.43%, respectively). The incidence of RDVT was further significantly reduced by the combination of the two methods (group D) (2.08%). In conclusion, RDVT is common and often asymptomatic and can be effectively prevented by prophylaxis with indobufen or graduated compression and more effectively by the combination of the two methods.