Long-term treatment of plastic bronchitis with aerosolized tissue plasminogen activator in a Fontan patient.
OBJECTIVE
To report the successful treatment of plastic bronchitis with aerosolized tissue plasminogen activator.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
A 4-yr-old boy with congenital heart disease, who developed plastic bronchitis 33 months after a Fontan operation


METHODS
Long-term treatment with aerosolized tissue plasminogen activator.


RESULTS
We describe the case of a boy who developed recurrent episodes of life-threatening airway obstruction secondary to plastic bronchitis. Following the failure of multiple therapeutic interventions, his condition improved significantly with aerosolized tissue plasminogen activator. Several attempts to wean him off this treatment resulted in clinical deterioration. He has remained on long-term aerosolized tissue plasminogen activator.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of plastic bronchitis with aerosolized tissue plasminogen activator may benefit patients in whom other therapies have failed.
Wakeham
Martin K
MK
Pediatric Critical Care, Advocate Hope Children's Hospital, Oak Lawn, IL 60453, USA. wakehamdoc@aol.com
Van Bergen
Andrew H
AH
Torero
Luis E
LE
Akhter
Javeed
J
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D001989:Bronchiolitis Obliterans / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018729:Fontan Procedure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010960:Plasminogen Activators; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator