CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER-ASSOCIATED THROMBOSIS OF MAJOR VEINS - THROMBOLYTIC TREATMENT WITH RECOMBINANT TISSUE PLASMINOGEN-ACTIVATOR

Objective-Major thromboses can occur in the venous system in associati on with central venous catheters. This usually necessitates removal of the catheter. Methods-The effectiveness of low dose recombinant tissu e type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in combination with heparin was a ssessed in patients with central venous catheter associated thrombosis . Results-In five patients, all suffering from cancer, a 5-7 day conti nuous infusion resulted in complete lysis of the thrombus without comp lications in three. In the other two patients moderately severe haemor rhage was observed with only partial lysis, of the thrombus. Conclusio ns-The infusion of heparin and rt-PA is potentially effective in throm bosis related to use of central venous catheters, but the risk of haem orrhage is not inconsiderable.