Thrombolysis with a novel modified tissue-type plasminogen activator, monteplase, combined with catheter-based treatment for major pulmonary embolism.
BACKGROUND
A novel modified tissue-type plasminogen activator, monteplase, has been approved for acute major pulmonary embolism (PE) in Japan. Monteplase has rapid and sustained lytic effects because of a steep rise in concentration after bolus infusion and a longer half-life.


RESULTS
To assess the efficacy and safety of thrombolysis with monteplase in combination with catheter-based treatment, acute hemodynamic changes and clinical outcomes were assessed in 50 patients with angiographically confirmed major PE. Thrombolysis with monteplase in combination with embolus fragmentation and thrombectomy was the acute phase treatment. The study population comprised 31 females and 19 males (mean age 62 years). All patients had right ventricular (RV) overload; 12 patients presented in shock. The mean pulmonary artery pressure decreased significantly from 32+/-9 mmHg to 25+/-6 mmHg after acute phase treatment (P<0.0001). The mean dosage of monteplase was 12,265 IU/kg. Death at 30 days occurred in 3 patients (6%). Major bleeding occurred in 12 patients (24%). RV overload at discharge remained in only 3% of the patients with typically acute onset.


CONCLUSIONS
Thrombolysis with monteplase, in combination with catheter-based treatment, is an effective and safe therapy for major PE.
Yamamoto
Takeshi
T
Intensive and Cardiac Care Unit, Nippon Medical School Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. yamamoto56@nms.ac.jp
Murai
Koji
K
Tokita
Yukichi
Y
Kato
Koji
K
Iwasaki
Yu-Ki
YK
Sato
Naoki
N
Tajima
Hiroyuki
H
Mizuno
Kyoichi
K
Tanaka
Keiji
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002407:Catheterization, Swan-Ganz / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017131:Thrombectomy / Q000379:methods*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
C468277:monteplase; D010960:Plasminogen Activators; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator