Thrombolytic therapy of pulmonary embolism - A comprehensive review of current evidence

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common disorder that is accompanied by signifi cant morbidity and mortality. Although anticoagulation is the standard trea tment for PE, thrombolytic therapy, with its ability to produce rapid clot lysis, has long been considered an attractive alternative. Although many st udies have been pel formed over the past three decades, however, the indica tions for the use of thrombolytic agents in patients with PE remain controv ersial. In this article, we review the medical literature and provide evide nce-based guidelines for the use of thrombolytic therapy. We will also disc uss the practical aspects of PE thrombolysis.