[Fibrinolytic therapy of massive pulmonary embolism on the 1st postoperative day following cholecystectomy].

Two patients, aged 64 and 47 years, had a massive pulmonary embolism one day after cholecystectomy. Ultra-short fibrinolysis was undertaken with 1.5 million units of streptokinase. Both patients rapidly improved, with a fall in heart rate, pulmonary artery or central-venous pressure, and a rise in arterial pO2. There were no significant bleedings. Ultra-short fibrinolysis (maximally over one hour) can thus successfully lyse emboli--consisting of fresh plasminogen-rich coagulation thrombi in the early postoperative period--without re-opening wound- and capillary beds during this short period.