THROMBOLYTIC THERAPY FOR ARTERIAL DISEASE S OTHER THAN MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION

Thrombolytic therapy is used in many cardiovascular diseases other tha n myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism. In unstable angina, th e results of trials have rather been disappointing. In prosthetic valv e thrombosis, the role of thrombolytic therapy is increasing. In perip heral arterial thrombosis, intravenous thrombolysis was practically ab andonned and local administration has been tried but no systematic att itude can be deduced. In cerebral arterial thrombosis intravenous alte plase thrombolytic treatment is effective and relatively safe in a wel l defined subgroup of stroke patients with moderate to severe neurolog ic deficit and without extended infarct signs on the initial CT scan.