Successful treatment of superior vena cava syndrome with urokinase in an infant.
An 11-month-old infant with a central venous catheter for total parenteral nutrition for short gut syndrome developed head and neck swelling. A thrombus at the catheter tip occluding the superior vena cava was demonstrated roentgenographically. A 48-hr infusion of urokinase (4400 units/kg/hr) was administered for thrombolysis. The thrombus cleared clinically and roentgenographically without adverse effects. There has been no recurrence of the superior vena cava syndrome. Urokinase infusion is an alternative to immediate catheter removal in selected patients.
D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total / Q000009:adverse effects; D011859:Radiography; D013479:Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator