Continuous postoperative intra-arterial urokinase infusion in the treatment of no reflow following revascularization of the acutely ischemic limb

Abstract

The loss of distal tissue perfusion sufficient for limb salvage following restoration of inflow to an acutely ischemic extremity has been referred to as the "no-reflow" phenomenon. We hypothesized that patients with no reflow and limb-threat ischemia might benefit from prolonged postoperative intra-arterial infusion of the thrombolytic agent urokinase (UK). Twelve patients with arteriographic and clinical evidence of no reflow following a lower extremity arterial thrombectomy and/or bypass procedure were treated with a continuous intra-arterial UK infusion in the immediate postoperative period. The mean duration of UK infusion was 47 hours (range 15 to 112 hours). The mean rate of infusion was 58,000 units/hr (range 30,000 to 100,000 units/hr). Seven patients required transfusion for bleeding from the treated extremity (mean 3.4 units packed cells) and one required reoperation for a groin hematoma. Plasma fibrinogen levels remained within the normal range in all patients, and no systemic bleeding complications were encountered. The intra-arterial UK infusion resulted in limb salvage in 7 of 12 patients. Six patients have viable, functional extremities at a mean follow-up interval of 24.9 months (range 6.4 to 49.7 months). One patient required below-knee amputation 6 months after treatment for progressive ischemia. The other five patients required below-knee amputation during the same hospitalization after UK failed to restore distal perfusion. The postoperative period is widely considered to be a contraindication to thrombolytic therapy. Our experience indicates that while UK may cause bleeding from the treated extremity, which in some cases requires transfusion, there is no evidence of systemic fibrinolysis or systemic hemorrhage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)