Abstract
Streptokinase therapy for the treatment of massive pulmonary embolism is superior to heparin therapy, although infusion of the recommended doses through a peripheral vein carries a substantial risk of hemorrhagic complications. By infusing low doses of this fibrinolytic agent through a pulmonary catheter in proximity to the embolic obstruction, rapid resolution of the pulmonary embolism can be accomplished. The induction of a local fibrinolytic state carries less risk of hemorrhagic complications than conventional streptokinase therapy. Further clinical studies are needed; however, this method of treatment of potentially fatal massive pulmonary embolism offers an attractive alternate to utilization of a fibrinolytic agent through a peripheral vein. The reduced risk of hemorrhagic complications could broaden its indications for therapy for pulmonary embolism to include situations in which embolic pulmonary obstruction has a high incidence of occurrence, that is, the postoperative state or the post-traumatic state.
Original language | American English |
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Journal | Journal of the American Osteopathic Association |
Volume | 85 |
State | Published - Jan 1 1985 |
Keywords
- Case Report
- Catheterization
- Male
- Middle Age
- Pulmonary Artery
- Pulmonary Embolism
- blood and hemopoietic system
- blood clot lysis
- cardiovascular system
- catheter
- cefoxitin
- clinical article
- drug therapy
- erythrocyte transfusion
- fibrinolysis
- great blood vessel
- heparin
- human
- intraarterial drug administration
- lung artery
- lung embolism
- methylprednisolone sodium succinate
- metronidazole
- penicillin g
- peripheral vascular system
- phenytoin
- priority journal
- respiratory system
- streptokinase
- therapy
- thiamine
Disciplines
- Medicine and Health Sciences