Prospective randomised comparative study of pulse spray and conventional local thrombolysis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the time required to achieve lysis with the pulse spray technique and the conventional slow continuous infusion technique.


METHODS
Prospective randomised open Study.


METHODS
Eighteen patients suitable for intra-arterial thrombolytic therapy with conventional and pulse spray technique were randomised 1:1 to receive either pulse spray thrombolysis with 0.33 mg/ml rt-PA injected as a bolus of 0.2 ml or conventional thrombolysis with 0.05 mg/ml rt-PA infused at a rate of 10 ml/h.


RESULTS
The age, duration of symptoms, length of occlusion and prethrombolysis ankle brachial pressure index were comparable in the two groups. The median duration of thrombolytic therapy in the pulse spray group was 195 min (range 90-1260) compared to 1390 min (range 300-2400) in the Conventional group. The difference between the two groups was significant, p < 0.002 (Mann-Whitney test).


CONCLUSIONS
Significantly shorter time is required to achieve local thrombolysis with pulse spray compared to the conventional infusion method.
Yusuf
S W
SW
Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital, Nottingham, U.K.
Whitaker
S C
SC
Gregson
R H
RH
Wenham
P W
PW
Hopkinson
B R
BR
Makin
G S
GS
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002404:Catheterization; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000008:administration & dosage
D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator