[Low-dose thrombolysis using rt-Pa in extensive peripheral vascular occlusion]

To evaluate the efficacy of intra-arterial thrombolysis by rt-PA in acute and subacute extensive peripheral vascular occlusion.

100 patients with acute and subacute occlusion of peripheral arteries were treated by catheter thrombolysis using 20 mg of rt-PA over a period of 20-24 hours. In all cases the occlusion extended to more than 20 cm and two stages of the extremity were involved. In 80 patients the original vessels (69/80 by thrombosis, 11/80 by embolization) and in 20 cases the femoro-popliteal bypass vessel was occluded. A catheter was inserted into the thrombus into which rt-PA and heparin were separately infused by two injectors. Heparin was given in a dose of 800-1000 U/h depending on the continuously monitored PTT levels. A control angiography was performed after 10 mg of rt-PA. After successful thrombolysis either PTA or aspiration thrombectomy was performed, if necessary, to reestablish a nearly normal vascular lumen. Open arteries of the thigh and at least one main vessel of lower leg was considered as success.

Recanalization of the original vessels was successfully by thrombolysis, PTA or aspiration thrombectomy in 68/80 [85%] cases. Thrombolysis and PTA reestablished a normal lumen of the bypass vessel in 11/20 [65%] and in 6 more cases a recanalization with minor stenosis. In 13/15 patients with critical ischemia, thrombolysis probably helped to avoid amputation by reopening smaller collateral arteries. Bleeding at the puncture site, as a complication of thrombolysis, was the reason for stopping therapy in three cases. There was no retroperitoneal or cerebral bleeding. After successful thrombolysis, reocclusion occurred in 15 patients within one year, only in five cases amputation was necessary.

Extensive occlusion of peripheral arteries or of a femoro-cural bypass can be successfully treated by low dose rt-PA thrombolysis with a low complication rate. Even partial reopening may prevent amputation.