Fibrinolytic therapy for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

The troublesome sequelae of pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) justify an aggressive therapeutic approach. Results of anticoagulation in patients with DVT have shown that a significant percentage of patients have no clot resolution and may progress to develop the postphlebitic syndrome. Lytic therapy has been more effective, with patients showing improvement within 24 h of treatment. This approach has also been found to compare favorably with anticoagulation in the treatment of PE. Preliminary research also suggests a potential role for recombinant human tissue-type plasminogen activator to resolve PE.