338 Thrombolytic therapy in pulmonary embolism

Pulmonary Embolism Thrombolytic Therapy of Pulmonary Embolism A Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES We sought to assess the efficacy and safety of thrombolytic therapy in patients with an acute pulmonary embolism (PE). BACKGROUND Thrombolytic therapy is approved for the treatment of acute PE; however, the safety and efficacy of this therapy remain debated. METHODS A meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials comparing thrombolytic agents with intravenous heparin in patients wit...

[Thrombolytic therapy of acute pulmonary embolism].

Thrombolytic therapy accelerates the dissolution of acute pulmonary embolism and is potentially lifesaving. The goal of this article is to offer a critical analysis of the use of thrombolytic therapy in this setting. Guidelines have been written and modified and new ones have been published over the past several years. Although an evidence base exists, unanswered questions remain. Despite the p...

Evolving concepts in thrombolytic therapy for pulmonary embolism.

Many clinicians who practiced in the early and mid-1970s remember PE thrombolysis as an extraordinary enterprise that consumed hospital resources and physicians' time around the clock for at least several days. Indeed, more than 1 in every 4 patients suffered a major hemorrhagic complication when a 24-h dosing regimen was utilized. This unfavorable experience soured some physicians, who have be...

Pulmonary embolism--the role of thrombolytic therapy in its management.

In massive pulmonary embolism where there may be evidence of right ventricular dysfunction and acute pulmonary hypertension, anticoagulation therapy alone may prove inadequate. In such situations use of thrombolytic agents produces an improvement in haemodynamics compared to anticoagulants alone, although studies to date have been too small to address the issue of mortality benefit. It would ap...

Thrombolytic treatment of pulmonary embolism.