[Fibrinolytic therapy of peripheral arterial occlusive disease]

Occluded arterial segments can be recanalized by fibrinolytic drugs. In addition to systemic fibrinolysis another method of thrombolytic therapy has been established: Local thrombolytic therapy is carried out by infiltration of low dose of streptokinase into the thrombotic occlusion. According to the low dose streptokinase used and the short duration of therapy local thrombolysis is applicable in patients with high risks too. Therefore the range of indications to non-surgical recanalisations could be extended. The differential therapy depends on location, pathogenesis and clinical stage of the arterial occlusion.