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Updated: Nov 9, 2025
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An In vitro System to Gauge the Thrombolytic Efficacy of Histotripsy and a Lytic Drug
Published on: June 4, 2021
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Thrombolytic therapy for pulmonary embolism.
Zhiliang Zuo1,2, Jirong Yue1,2, Bi Rong Dong1,2
1The Center of Gerontology and Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|April 15, 2021
Summary
Thrombolytic therapy for pulmonary embolism (PE) may reduce deaths and clot recurrence, but increases bleeding risks. Further high-quality studies are needed to confirm safety and cost-effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Thrombosis Management
Background:
- Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a serious condition often treated with anticoagulants like heparin.
- Thrombolytic therapy is typically reserved for severe PE cases due to potential risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy and safety of thrombolytic therapy for acute pulmonary embolism.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
- Included trials compared thrombolytics plus heparin versus heparin alone or placebo.
- Searched major databases up to August 2020.
Main Results:
- Thrombolytics likely reduce death (low-certainty evidence) and PE recurrence (low-certainty evidence) compared to control.
- Increased risk of major (moderate-certainty) and minor (low-certainty) bleeding events, including hemorrhagic stroke.
- Shorter hospital stays and reduced hemodynamic decompensation observed with thrombolytics.
Conclusions:
- Thrombolytic therapy may improve outcomes in acute PE but carries a higher bleeding risk.
- Evidence quality is limited by risk of bias and heterogeneity.
- More high-quality research is required to evaluate safety and cost-effectiveness.
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