Author/Editor		Kozak, Matija
Title		Thrombolysis of peripheral arterial occlusion
Type		članek
Source		CEVJ
Vol. and No.		Letnik 2
Publication year		2003
Volume		str. 53-5
Language		eng
Abstract		Peripheral arterial occlusive disease due to thrombosis or embolism is usually associated with functional disability of the affected limb. When blood flow impairment is severe, the limb could be even threatened. The occluded artery could be reopened and blood flow restored by thrombolysis, when thrombolytic agent applied locally through intra-arterial catheter disolves fibrin network, which is a frame for the occlusive thrombus (embolus). There are several catheter-directed thtombolytic techniques, and several thrombolytic drugs, but there are no big differences between results of different therapeutic regimes. Thrombolysis is effective in blood flow restoration in about 80% of treated patients with acute arterial occlusions, and in about 70% of patients with chronic occlusions. Thrombolysis is not suitable for patients who present with neurosensory deficit, because in those patients restoration of blood flow must be faster as it is by thrombolysis. The efficacy of thrombolysis when compared to surgery, which is a standard treatment for peripheral arterial occlusions, is generally nearly the same when mortality and limb salvation are taken into account. The most serious complication of thrombolysis is intractanial bleeding reported in 1% of patients, and major bleedings on other locations in 5% of patients. Thrombolysis should be followed by angioplasty, when needed.
Descriptors		ARTERIAL OCCLUSIVE DISEASES THROMBOSIS THROMBOLYTIC THERAPY