Thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in fulminant pulmonary embolism. A case series.
OBJECTIVE
To describe our outcomes using thrombolysis during the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of patients in cardiorespiratory arrest (CA) caused by fulminant pulmonary embolism (FPE).


METHODS
A case series.


METHODS
Intensive care units of a district hospital and a referral centre.


METHODS
Six patients that suffered CA secondary to an FPE.


METHODS
Administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator during usual CPR manoeuvres when there was a strong suspicion of FPE. Permission for the thrombolytic therapy was sought from family members in all cases.


RESULTS
Four out of the six patients survived and remain symptom-free. The thrombolysis was not associated with any fatal complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Early thrombolysis during CPR manoeuvres for CA apparently caused by an FPE may reduce the mortality rate among these patients.
Ruiz-Bailén
M
M
Intensive Care Unit, Critical Care and Emergencies Department, Hospital de Poniente, El Ejido, Almeria, Spain. mrb1604@teleline.es
Aguayo-de-Hoyos
E
E
Serrano-Córcoles
M C
MC
Díaz-Castellanos
M A
MA
Fierro-Rosón
J L
JL
Ramos-Cuadra
J A
JA
Rodríguez-Elvira
M
M
Torres-Ruiz
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator