Intraarterial fibrinolysis: long-term results.

Intraarterial fibrinolytic therapy was performed in 136 patients suffering from arteriosclerotic thrombosis of the iliac and femoropopliteal arteries. The initial success rate was 78%. Despite anticoagulation therapy, early recurrent thrombosis was observed in 10% of the patients. The 2-year cumulative patency rate after recanalization was 81%. These results are competitive with those of reconstructive vascular surgery. Therefore, intraarterial fibrinolysis has become a viable alternative to surgery in treating segmental peripheral occlusions more than 4 cm in length that are less than 6-9 months in duration.