title: Forearm compartment syndrome following thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction.
abstract: Thrombolytic therapy for myocardial infarction may contribute to bleeding complications when central venous or arterial access is required, but peripheral venous access is usually uncomplicated. We report a patient in whom tissue plasminogen activator and subsequent intravenous heparin exacerbated bleeding from a disrupted intravenous access site, leading to acute compartment syndrome requiring surgical decompression. This case emphasizes the risks associated with iatrogenic trauma during thrombolytic therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania 17822.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burnside
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Costello
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Angelastro
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blankenship
mesh_terms: D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D005542:Forearm; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator