Treatment of frostbite with i.v. streptokinase: an experimental study in rabbits.

Experiments were conducted in 32 rabbits to determine whether treatment with IV streptokinase can effectively limit the extent of tissue damage associated with frostbite injury of the hind limbs. Other variables studied were the temperature of the tissue during freezing, the time taken to rewarm the exposed limbs, and the delay between the initiation of treatment with streptokinase and cessation of freezing. A control group of 16 rabbits was not given streptokinase. The extent of tissue damage was estimated by sequential radionuclide perfusion scans of the exposed limbs. This estimate was based on the proportional loss of tissue perfusion on subsequent twice-weekly nuclear scans in comparison with that shown by scans performed immediately after thawing. Pathologic changes in exposed tissues were studied by histology. Streptokinase treatment and rapid rewarming both resulted in less tissue damage at all freezing temperatures. Streptokinase was most beneficial when given 12 hr after freezing, but was effective even when treatment was delayed up to 48 hr.