Initial results of reteplase in the treatment of acute lower extremity arterial occlusions.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility and efficacy of reteplase in transcatheter arterial thrombolysis for lower extremity occlusive disease.


METHODS
Fifteen consecutive patients with acute lower extremity ischemia due to occlusive disease were treated by means of catheter-directed thrombolysis with reteplase. Following diagnostic angiography, thrombolysis was started either from an antegrade puncture site in cases of femoropopliteal occlusions, or from the contralateral groin in cases of thrombosis of the iliac artery, common femoral artery, or infrainguinal bypass grafts. Reteplase was infused at a rate of either 0.5 U/h (six patients) or 1.0 U/h (nine patients).


RESULTS
Complete thrombolysis was achieved in all of the nine (100%) patients in the 1.0 U/h group and in four of six (66%) patients in the 0.5 U/h group for a combined success rate of 13 of 15 (87%). Clinical success was achieved in 11 of 15 patients overall (73%). Major bleeding complications occurred in none of the 9 patients in the 1.0 U/h group and in one (16%) of the six patients in the 0.5 U/h group for an overall rate of 6%.


CONCLUSIONS
Reteplase shows promise as an alternative to urokinase in the treatment of lower extremity ischemia due to arterial occlusive disease.
Davidian
M M
MM
Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute, Baptist Hospital, FL 33176, USA.
Powell
A
A
Benenati
J F
JF
Katzen
B T
BT
Becker
G J
GJ
Zemel
G
G
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007511:Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C087896:reteplase; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator