A simplified procedure for intra-arterial thrombolysis with tissue-type plasminogen activator in peripheral arterial occlusive disease: primary and long-term results.
One-hundred and fifty patients with thrombotic and 60 patients with embolic occlusions of the superficial femoral and/or popliteal artery underwent a simplified IAT (intra-arterial thrombolysis) procedure. Ten mg rt-PA combined with 3000 IU Heparin were infused over 6 h, thereafter the extent of thrombolysis was checked fluoroscopically and the above mentioned treatment course repeated up to four times if necessary. The IAT regimen employed did not involve mechanical recanalization attempts; if complete thrombolysis revealed an underlying stenosis, a PTA (percutaneous transluminal angioplasty) was subsequently performed. IAT resulted in complete recanalization of 88 thrombotic occlusions (59%; 95% confidence interval: 50.8%-66.8%) and of 53 embolic occlusions (88%; 95% confidence interval: 77.1%-94.8% P < 0.001). In a further 33 (22%) thrombotic and four (7%) embolic occlusions IAT reduced the length of the occluded segment. At discharge, 102 (67%) patients with thrombotic and 55 (92%) patients with embolic occlusions were clinically improved. Overall, untoward effects occurred in 60 patients (29%): 47 (22%) were minor. Four patients (2%) suffered a systemic haemorrhage (three gastrointestinal, one macrohaematuria). The cumulative potency rate was significantly higher in patients with embolic occlusions throughout follow-up (82% vs 49% for thrombotic occlusions at 2 years, P < 0.001). Although all amputations were carried out in patients with thrombotic occlusions, follow-up mortality did not differ significantly between patients with embolic and thrombotic occlusions.
Decrinis
M
M
Department of Internal Medicine, Karl-Franzens-University School of Medicine Graz, Austria.
Pilger
E
E
Stark
G
G
Lafer
M
M
Obernosterer
A
A
Lammer
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004617:Embolism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D011150:Popliteal Artery; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency / Q000187:drug effects
D006493:Heparin; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator