title: Spontaneous thrombolysis of native artery occlusions.
abstract: Acute arterial ischemia of the lower extremities is a major cause of mortality and limb loss in patients with peripheral vascular disease. Patients with acute limb ischemia secondary to embolus or in situ thrombosis usually require emergency revascularization, either surgically or with the use of thrombolytic agents. It is commonly assumed that heparin therapy alone, without disobliterative intervention, can produce clinical improvement through continued patency and enlargement of the collateral circulation. The occurrence of spontaneous thrombolysis of major limb vessels is not generally accepted. We describe three patients, all with confirmed occlusion of either the iliac or superficial femoral arteries, who had spontaneous thrombolysis of occluded vessels. These experiences document that spontaneous resolution of arterial occlusion does occur, although it may be infrequent.
authors.affiliation: Section of Vascular Surgery, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, OH 45267-0558.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Ose
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blebea
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Fowl
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Kempczinski
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D007511:Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012086:Reoperation; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene