[Fibrinolytic therapy of acute arterial occlusions in the lower extremities]

The authors submit their initial experience with fibrinolytic treatment of acute arterial occlusions. In a group of 14 patients streptokinase and urokinase was administered 12 times as general treatment and twice locally. Treatment was successful in seven patients, no change in the local finding was recorded in two patients, in another two patients despite treatment progression of the ischaemia occurred. Two patients died in causal relation with treatment, one patient died for other reasons. Based on their own experience and that of authors abroad the authors emphasize the necessity of strict indication for fibrinolytic treatment, they prefer local to general administration, with regard to the number of complications. In the authors' opinion fibrinolysis holds a justified position in the treatment of acute arterial occlusions as a supplementary method of surgical treatment.