Pulmonary dysfunction associated with streptokinase therapy

A 66-year-old lower-extremity amputee with an acute femoral artery occlusion was treated with low-dose (10000 units/h) percutaneous constant-infusion streptokinase. At 48 hours after initiation of therapy, the patient experienced adult respiratory distress syndrome and died. A postmortem examination confirmed the diagnosis; laboratory studies reflected an increased level of fibrinolytic split products, thrombocytopenia, and a low level of fibrinogen.