[Local intra-arterial thrombolysis with low dosage rt-PA. Thrombolysis in arterial occlusive disease of the leg].

In this study, 12 patients with arterial occlusions of the lower limb were treated with low-dose intra-arterial rt-PA. Although the group was heterogeneous (differences in length and duration of occlusion), good short-term and medium-term results were obtained. After local treatment with 2.5 mg/h rt-PA administered intra-arterially over 2.5 to 8 hours, most patients had no, or only mild, residual stenosis. Posttherapy, almost all patients were able to walk longer distances. Side effects were rare, and in only one case did treatment have to be discontinued because of pain in the treated limb.