Selective thrombolysis with low-dose urokinase in chronic arteriosclerotic obstructions

Twenty-one patients, 15 males and 6 females aged 52-75 years, with angiographically demonstrated occlusions of the superficial femoral or popliteal arteries, were treated by low-dose urokinase intraarterial infusion. The obstructions were 2-12 months old and from 7 to 18 cm in length. Urokinase was infused at 50,000 U/h; heparin was simultaneously administered by intravenous route in doses of 800 U/h. The average duration of treatment was 18 h. Effective clot lysis was accomplished in 18 cases (85%); 15 patients had underlying stenoses treated by balloon dilatation to prevent rethrombosis. Of the primarily recanalized arteries, two reoccluted within 4 weeks.