title: Central venous catheter associated thrombosis of major veins: thrombolytic treatment with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Major thromboses can occur in the venous system in association with central venous catheters. This usually necessitates removal of the catheter.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effectiveness of low dose recombinant tissue type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in combination with heparin was assessed in patients with central venous catheter associated thrombosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In five patients, all suffering from cancer, a 5-7 day continuous infusion resulted in complete lysis of the thrombus without complications in three. In the other two patients moderately severe haemorrhage was observed with only partial lysis, of the thrombus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The infusion of heparin and rt-PA is potentially effective in thrombosis related to use of central venous catheters, but the risk of haemorrhage is not inconsiderable.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Oncology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rodenhuis
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: van't Hek
authors.forename: L T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Vlasveld
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kröger
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dubbelman
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: van Tol
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D006493:Heparin; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator