Post embolectomy thrombosis treated with intra-arterial streptokinase

A case is presented which demonstrates the occasional need for selective intra-arterial streptokinase when re-thrombosis has occurred following catheter thromboembolectomy of a peripheral artery. It is recommended that repeat embolectomy be carried out and all mechanical causes for re-thrombosis be excluded before resorting to fibrinolysis. The literature citing other indications for selective arterial use of streptokinase is reviewed.