title: Lysis block treatment: a new form of local thrombolysis.
abstract: Lysis block treatment (LBT) is a new form of fibrinolytic therapy for deep vein thrombosis and arterial occlusion in the distal parts of the limbs. Strictly local lysis was achieved by placing a cuff around the thigh or the upper arm, inflating the cuff to a pressure of 500 mmHg ("Bier's blockade"), and giving heparin and tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) by intravenous injection into the dorsal pedis or antecubital veins. Occlusion lasted for one hour. This new technique was demonstrated in 22 patients. Six patients presented with popliteal vein thromboses and 1 patient with a distal femoral vein thrombosis. In addition, 15 arterial occlusions were treated comprising 3 calf, 6 popliteal, 3 distal femoral, and 2 digital sites and 1 brachial site. Five of 7 venous and 9 of 15 arterial occlusions were partially or totally removed. The activated partial thromboplastin time remained nearly unchanged during LBT and only a limited and short-term lengthening was recorded after restoration of blood flow. This was of importance for patients with bleeding tendencies, which are normally a contraindication for systemic lysis. LBT may therefore be considered as a useful alternative to systemic fibrinolytic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Department, Städtische Kliniken, Duisburg, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Heimig
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Fiebach
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Magnus
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Riedel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001916:Brachial Artery; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery; D005268:Femoral Vein; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time; D011150:Popliteal Artery; D011152:Popliteal Vein; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006493:Heparin; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator