Associated reactions during and immediately after rtPA infusion

The complications of IV recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rtPA) have not been previously reported specifically for the first hours after initiation of the therapy when patients are often in emergency departments or in transport. The charts of 124 patients who received rtPA between April 1986 and December 1987 were retrospectively reviewed for reactions associated with rtPA infusion occurring in the first ten hours after the onset of rtPA administration. Minor bleeding developed in 19% of the patients, and life-threatening bleeding in 3%. Half of the life-threatening bleeding episodes were not predictable by history or physical examination. Arrhythmias were frequent despite the fact that all patients were maintained on IV lidocaine. New premature ventricular contractions occurred in 67%, accelerated idioventricular rhythm in 34%, ventricular tachycardia in 30%, and ventricular fibrillation in 2%. Many of the arrhythmias other than ventricular fibrillation had little hemodynamic consequence and did not require treatment. Neurologic episodes occurred in 3%, including two patients with intracerebral bleeding (1.5%); hypotension requiring treatment developed in 3%; and minor symptoms of allergy in 2%. Administration of rtPA in the ED requires careful patient selection to avoid bleeding complications and close monitoring to detect arrhythmias and changes in vital signs.