[Fibrinolytic therapy of acute venous thrombosis]

Fibrinolytic therapy carries a greater risk in the treatment of deep-vein thrombosis than mere anticoagulation. It must therefore be considered an elective measure in the case of a young patient with extensive thrombotic disease who wishes removal of the thrombus in order to reduce his risk of postthrombotic sequelae. Regardless the type of fibrinolytic agent used and of the dosage employed, one must reckon with a mortality of 1%. One can expect good results in 80-90% of the patients with fresh thrombi.