Evolving concepts in thrombolytic therapy for pulmonary embolism.
Many clinicians who practiced in the early and mid-1970s remember PE thrombolysis as an extraordinary enterprise that consumed hospital resources and physicians' time around the clock for at least several days. Indeed, more than 1 in every 4 patients suffered a major hemorrhagic complication when a 24-h dosing regimen was utilized. This unfavorable experience soured some physicians, who have been reluctant to reconsider PE thrombolysis in the 1990s. Fortunately, recently completed clinical trials have taught us many ways to make thrombolytic therapy safer, more streamlined, and more economical (Fig 1).
Goldhaber
S Z
SZ
Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115.
D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013300:Streptokinase / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D013300:Streptokinase; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator