title: Tenecteplase for the treatment of massive and submassive pulmonary embolism.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Data on thrombolytic therapy disclose benefits from thrombolytic therapy in patients with massive and submassive pulmonary embolism (PE). Previously published case reports have described the successful use of tenecteplase under these conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four patients with massive and submassive PE received a weight-optimized dosing regimen of tenecteplase, administered as an intravenous bolus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients experienced clinically relevant improvement of dyspnea following thrombus regression. Regression of right ventricular enlargement was documented in three cases. Tenecteplase was well tolerated and did not cause bleeding complications. Thirty-day mortality was zero.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data support the use of this new thrombolytic agent in patients with massive and submassive PE; however, sufficiently powered, randomized trials have not yet taken place for these indications.
authors.affiliation: Medical Clinic, Charité Hospital, Schumannstrasse 20/21, D-10117 Berlin, Germany. christoph.melzer@charite.de
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Melzer
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rogalla
authors.forename: Adrian Constantin
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Theres
authors.forename: Gert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baumann
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laule
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011859:Radiography; D000077785:Tenecteplase; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator; D000077785:Tenecteplase