Successful use of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) in catheter-related intracardiac thrombi of two premature infants.
We describe the cases of two premature infants carrying a central venous line who developed on the fourth day of life a catheter related intracardiac thrombus. Although they were clinically asymptomatic we opted for thrombolytic treatment considering the potential risks of this situation. Treatment with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) was performed for one day in the first case and for three days in the second one, in association with fresh frozen plasma. Thrombus dissolution occurred in both patients and no adverse effects were noted. In our experience tissue plasminogen activator was a therapy acceptably safe and effective inducing clot lysis in very low birthweight neonates into critical situations.
First Department of Paediatrics, University of Milan, Italy.
B
B
Giuffrè
G
G
Compagnoni
C
C
Farina
F
F
Mosca
D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004452:Echocardiography; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005316:Fetal Distress / Q000628:therapy; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000628:therapy; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D010960:Plasminogen Activators; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator