Lower Extremity Arterial Thrombolysis

Lower extremity arterial thrombolysis has proven to be a safe and effective means of treating acute limb ischemia due to in situ thrombosis or embolic occlusion. It is best utilized in patients with acute occlusions of less than 7 days duration and offers survival benefits compared with surgery primarily due to the lower risk of cardiopulmonary complications. Limb salvage rates are equivalent between thrombolysis and surgical thrombectomy but bleeding complications are more common with thrombolysis.

SUGGESTED READINGS

• 1 Kessler R, Funaki B. Compartment syndrome following external iliac artery stenting and lower extremity thrombolysis.  Semin Intervent Radiol. 2009;  26 159-163
• 2 van den Berg J C. Thrombolysis for acute arterial occlusion.  J Vasc Surg. 2010;  52 512-515
• 3 Patel N, Sacks D, Patel R I Society of Interventional Radiology Technology Assessment Committee et al. SIR reporting standards for the treatment of acute limb ischemia with use of transluminal removal of arterial thrombus.  J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2003;  14(9 Pt 2) S453-S465