Extravasation of thrombus into the aortic root: a complication following use of an infusion catheter for intragraft thrombolysis.

Overnight chronic urokinase infusion was used to successfully treat thrombotic occlusion of a saphenous vein graft. Following removal of the infusion catheter, a 3-cm linear thrombus was observed extending from the graft into the ascending aorta. This mobile thrombus was successfully treated with coumadinization for 9 wk. Potential preventive measures for this complication of indwelling catheters are discussed.