Total disappearance of a fatal pulmonary embolus during streptokinase therapy of an iliofemoral thrombosis.
During streptokinase treatment of an iliofemoral thrombosis, a formerly healthy man developed clinical signs of major pulmonary embolism. In spite of all attempts at resuscitation, the patient died after 1.5 hours. The autopsy showed no signs of remaining thrombus or emboli. The probable explanation is that the thrombus had partially been lysed and that the remaining parts formed an embolus large enough to cause considerable haemodynamic changes which could not be influenced. Lysis continued pre- and postmortally and was complete at the time of autopsy.
D000368:Aged; D005269:Femur / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D007085:Ilium / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000401:mortality; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013300:Streptokinase / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000188:drug therapy*
D013300:Streptokinase