Tissue plasminogen activator irrigation to facilitate removal of subretinal hemorrhage during vitrectomy.
I report removing a large submacular hemorrhage by means of vitrectomy combined with use of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to facilitate clot removal. Four months postoperatively, the vision was 20/100 and the retina was flat, with a very thin layer of residual hemorrhage and pigmentary alteration in the macula. Although the long-term prognosis is guarded, this case does suggest that tPA may be a useful adjunct in managing selected cases of subretinal hemorrhage associated with macular degeneration.
Vander
J F
JF
Retina Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
D000368:Aged; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D005260:Female; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000628:therapy*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy
D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator