title: The current role of thrombolytic therapy for pulmonary embolism.
abstract: Thrombolytic therapy for pulmonary embolism can rapidly reverse right ventricular failure and reduce mortality and morbidity among appropriately selected patients. Individuals being considered for this treatment should be screened for potential major bleeding problems, which, if present, should lead to alternative management with catheter or surgical embolectomy. There is no ideal thrombolytic agent; nor have indications for thrombolysis been precisely defined. Available data indicate that patients with moderate or severe right ventricular dysfunction gain the most from this pharmacologic strategy.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: S Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Goldhaber
mesh_terms: D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000188:drug therapy; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral; D000075202:Contraindications; D017128:Embolectomy; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000145:classification; D006801:Humans; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D018497:Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents