Low-Dose Alteplase versus Conventional Anticoagulation to treat Submassive Pulmonary Embolism in Hispanic Patients

The use of low-dose tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in Hispanic patients with submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) is understudied. The purpose of this study is to explore the use of low-dose tPA in Hispanic patients with submissive PE compared with counterparts that received heparin alone. We retrospectively analyzed a single-center registry of patients with acute PE between 2016 and 2022. Out of 72 patients admitted for acute PE and cor pulmonale, we identified six patients that were treated with conventional anticoagulation (heparin alone) and six patients who received low-dose tPA (and heparin afterward). We analyzed if low-dose tPA was associated with differences in length of stay (LOS) and bleeding complications. Both groups were similar in regard to age, gender, and PE severity (based on Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index scores). Mean total LOS for the low-dose tPA group was 5.3 days, compared with 7.3 days in the heparin group ( p  = 0.29). Mean intensive care unit (ICU) LOS for the low-dose tPA group was 1.3 days compared with 3 days in the heparin group ( p  = 0.035). There were no clinically relevant bleeding complications documented in either the heparin or the low-dose tPA group. Low-dose tPA for submassive PE in Hispanic patients was associated with a shorter ICU LOS without a significant increase in bleeding risk. Low-dose tPA appears to be a reasonable treatment option in Hispanic patients with submassive PE who are not at high bleeding risk (<5%).