LYSIS BLOCK TECHNIQUE - NEW METHOD FOR FIBRINOLYTIC TREATMENT WITH THE TISSUE-PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR

With lysis-blocktechnique an oversystolic tourniquet is put on the thi gh or upper arm. The fibrinolytic substance is injected into a dorsal foot vein or forearm vein. By using this strictly local lysis it was p ossible to remove distal venous and arterial occlusions. During oversy stolic blockade there was only a minimal link between the blocked part of the limb and systemic circulation. By choosing a lytic substance w ith a short half-life-period (rt-PA) the systemic effect after looseni ng the blockade was small. LBT is a new and interesting method for the fibrinolytic treatment of peripheral venous and arterial occlusions. The procedure is characterized by minimal systemic reactions and it ca n probably be applied in those patients with contraindications for sys temic lysis.