Thrombolysis with tissue-plasminogen activator: results with a high-dose transthrombus technique.
OBJECTIVE
Low-dose intraarterial tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) is effective in peripheral thrombolysis but treatment time is prolonged. The aim of this study was to determine whether a transthrombus bolus of t-PA before low-dose infusion shortens lysis time.


METHODS
Twenty-three patients with peripheral arterial or bypass graft occlusion were treated with an initial bolus of 20 mg t-PA followed by a continuous infusion of 1 mg/hr.


RESULTS
Angiographic lysis was achieved in 16 patients (70%) with a mean time to complete lysis of 14.4 +/- 7.9 hours. Two patients had reocclusion on days 1 and 3, respectively. There were three deaths within the first week of treatment, one from cerebral hemorrhage and two from myocardial infarction. A clinically successful outcome was achieved in 11 patients (48%). Those patients with patency at 1 week maintained this response at a mean follow-up of 11.7 +/- 9.1 months. Thrombolysis was unsuccessful in seven instances. In three of these cases the infusion had to be discontinued prematurely because of serious hemorrhage. Of the seven unsuccessful cases, three patients subsequently underwent a femorodistal bypass, two were left with tolerable ischemic symptoms, and two required a major amputation. There were eight major bleeding complications (35%), four at or adjacent to the catheter entry site and four at a distance, including two cases of cerebral hemorrhage, one of which was fatal.


CONCLUSIONS
Transthrombus bolus delivery of tissue plasminogen activator followed by a low-dose infusion shortens lysis time, but this technique appears to be associated with an increased risk of serious hemorrhage.
Ward
A S
AS
Vascular Unit, Basingstoke District Hospital, United Kingdom.
Andaz
S K
SK
Bygrave
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000295:instrumentation; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007511:Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D011150:Popliteal Artery; D011859:Radiography; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator