Heparin in Empyema

Report of a Case

Few conclusions can be drawn from one case but it does seem that heparin can safely be used in the pleural cavity without effecting the blood coagulation time of the patient. Guernar Bauer² in his splendid article "Heparin in Venous Thrombosis," reported on the use of very large doses of heparin intravenously without any ill effects. Lehman and Boys³ injected 120 cc. of heparin in the abdomen following operations to prevent adhesions. Undoubtedly much larger amounts of heparin can safely be used in empyema cases than was used in the case just reported and allowed to remain longer before being withdrawn. It may also be to advantage to use it soon after the infection appears with a view of preventing adhesions which anchor the lung and retard or prevent its expansion.