PULMONARY-EMBOLISM AFTER THROMBOLYSIS OF HEMODIALYSIS GRAFTS

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of pulmonary embo lization occurring after mechanical or pharmacomechanical percutaneous intravascular thrombolysis in 23 patients with occluded hemodialysis grafts. In all patients, pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy was performe d before and immediately after thrombolysis. In eight (35%) of the pat ients, there was evidence of pulmonary embolism resulting from the int erventional procedure; however, in only one was there clinical symptom s. It is concluded that there is substantial risk of pulmonary embolis m in patients undergoing percutaneous intravascular thrombolysis for a n occluded hemodialysis graft.