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In preliminary studies we demonstrated an increased thrombolytic activity with higher dosages of urokinase in the therapy of deep vein thrombosis. From that time this higher urokinase dosage schedule (loading dose 250,000 IU, initial maintenance dosage 2000 IU/kg/h in combination with 1520 U heparin/kg/h) was used and suggested as ideal.In 10 patients with deep vein thrombosis treated according to this dosage schedule following coagulation parameters were determined before the beginning of the therapy, after 1,4,12 h and then at least once per day up to 7-14 days:aPTT, thrombin clotting time, fibrinogen (according to Clauss, Ratnoff and Menzie and radial immunodiffusion), TEG, euglobulin clot lysis time, inhibitors of fibrinolysis, plasminogen, antithrombin III, fpA, clotting factors V and VIII. The coagulation analysis showed a progressive decrease of fibrinogen to 50100 mg% and of plasminogen to about 40 % within 12-36 h. At this time a reduction of the urokinase dose by 30-40 % and further only slight corrections became necessary. Additional investigations demonstrated a more pronounced fibrinogenolytic effect when dissolving and applying urokinase in plastic material and avoiding contact with glass surfaces. These findings suggested a 30% saving of urokinase.The highly effective urokinase dosage schedule here described has been proved practicable and rendered too frequent coagulation controls superfluous. The saving of urokinase by using plastic material introduced a modification of our urokinase regimen:Loading dose 250,000 IU, followed by 2000 IU/kg/h for only 8 h, then 1000 IU/kg/h with further slight individual dose corrections.