title: Urokinase versus recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in thrombosed central venous catheters: a double-blinded, randomized trial.
abstract: Fifty dysfunctional central venous catheters proven radiographically to be occluded by thrombus were blindly randomized to be injected with either 2 mg recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) or 10,000 units of urokinase (UK) and allowed to incubate for 2 h. A second dose was allowed if catheter function was not restored with the first injection. Repeat radiograph contrast injection was done when catheter function was restored or after 2 doses of study drug were administered, whichever occurred first. Thirteen of 22 catheters randomized to UK had full function restored compared to 25 of 28 randomized to t-PA (p = 0.013). Radiographic contrast injection showed 7 catheters randomized to UK had complete resolution of the thrombus compared to 17 randomized to t-PA (p = 0.042). Four catheters randomized to UK had complete resolution of the thrombus after a single dose compared to 13 randomized to t-PA (p = 0.036). A novel dose of 2 mg of t-PA restored catheter function more reliably and dissolved thrombi faster than twice the standard, FDA-approved dose of UK.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198-3330.
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Haire
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Atkinson
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Kotulak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000191:economics; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator