Tissue plasminogen activator for treatment of livedoid vasculitis

Livedoid vasculitis, a hyalinizing vasculopathy, is characterized by extensive formation of microthrombi and deposition of fibrin in the middermal vessels, which result in epidermal infarction, ulceration, and formation of stellate scars. In a prospective study of nonhealing ulcers in patients with livedoid vasculitis, we found a high incidence of anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulants, increased levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor, and low levels of endogenous tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) activity. This procoagulant tendency and decreased fibrinolysis may provide an explanation for the occlusive vasculopathy often noted in biopsy specimens from these patients. On the basis of these findings, we proposed that fibrinolysis with recombinant t-PA would lyse microvascular thrombi, restore circulation, and promote wound healing. In six patients who had nonhealing ulcers caused by livedoid vasculitis and in whom numerous conventional therapies had failed, low-dose t-PA (10 mg) was administered intravenously during a 4-hour period daily for 14 days. Five of the six patients had dramatic improvement; almost complete healing of the ulcers occurred during hospitalization, and tissue oxygenation, as measured by transcutaneous oximetry, increased. The one treatment failure was due to rethrombosis of the microvasculature; this patient was subsequently re-treated but with concurrent anticoagulation, and her leg ulcers healed. We conclude that daily administration of a low dose of t-PA is safe and effective treatment for nonhealing ulcers due to occlusive vasculopathy.