[Fibrinolytics in venous thromboembolic disease]

Thromboembolic venous disease includes deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs and pulmonary embolism, a common acute complication. The usual treatment is anticoagulation. Thrombolytic drugs are only used in severe cases. Of the thrombolytic agents and therapeutic protocols in use, alteplase 100 mg/2 hours seems to be the best compromise between the risk of bleeding and efficacy in reducing pulmonary resistances by 30 to 40% and relatively early pulmonary revascularisation of 40-50%. As in myocardial infarction, cerebral haemorrhage is the main complication and the risk is higher in elderly (over 70 years of age) patients who have undergone invasive procedures. Massive pulmonary embolism, defined by clinical criteria, is presently the only formal indication of thrombolysis in this context. In non-massive embolism with right ventricular dysfunction, thrombolysis could also be indicated in the absence of haemorrhagic risk. In deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs, the role of thrombolysis is limited and controversial; in many cases, the risk of haemorrhage is greater than the potential benefits.