Thrombolytic therapy for venous thrombosis in patients with gastro-intestinal diseases

Venous thrombosis in 2 patients with gastro-intestinal diseases (chronic liver disease and ulcerative colitis) is reported. A good clinical improvement was obtained after thrombolytic (urokinase) therapy without any haemorrhagic side-effect. A decrease in the plasma of the fast-acting antiplasmin has been correlated with urokinase thrombolytic effect in vivo. These preliminary reports suggest that thrombolytic drugs are a safe tool for the treatment also of thromboembolic complications in patients with potential haemorrhagic diathesis.