Successful clot lysis using low dose of streptokinase in 22 neonates with aortic thromboses.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether intravenous infusion of low dose of streptokinase was effective in lysing umbilical arterial catheter (UAC)-associated aortic thrombi.


METHODS
A prospective cohort study of 31 consecutive newborn infants with UAC-associated aortic thrombi which were detected by abdominal ultrasonography after removal of UAC. Twenty-two infants were treated with intravenous infusion of low dose (1000 U/h) streptokinase, while nine others were not treated due to various contra-indications. Thrombolysis occurred after a mean interval of 2.2 days (standard deviation (SD) = 1.8) in the treated infants. In the untreated infants, spontaneous thrombolysis occurred significantly later, after a mean interval of 16.9 days (SD = 14.7) (95% confidence intervals of difference between mean intervals - 26.0, - 3.4; P = 0.02). Only one treated infant developed mild bleeding directly attributed to streptokinase therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Low dose streptokinase infusion was effective and safe in thrombolysing UAC-associated aortic thrombi.
Cheah
F C
FC
Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
Boo
N Y
NY
Rohana
J
J
Yong
S C
SC
D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013300:Streptokinase / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014469:Umbilical Arteries
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D013300:Streptokinase; D010960:Plasminogen Activators