Urokinase thrombolysis using a multiple side hole multilumen infusion catheter.

A multilumen, multiple side hole infusion catheter was used for urokinase thrombolysis in 13 patients with thromboembolic occlusions of peripheral arteries and grafts. Balloon angioplasty was performed following urokinase infusion in 6 patients and atherectomy in 1 patient. There was one hemorrhagic complication. The major advantage of the multiple sidehole infusion catheter was the elimination of the need to reposition the catheter during the infusion and the reduction of the time burden on the angiographic facility. The success rate for the thrombolysis (77%) was comparable to results recorded in the literature. The total duration of infusion was not reduced compared to other series.