[Deep venous thromboses--established treatment procedures and new trends]

Abstract

Thrombolysis in deep venous thrombosis is indicated in documented thrombosis of the legs, because, in most cases, it is due to no or minimal collateral flow with bad prognosis. Thrombolysis should not be used regularly in isolated thrombosis of the veins of the lower legs and in subclavian vein thrombosis. The aims in therapy of deep venous thrombosis are reduction of possible complications such as fatal pulmonary embolism, avoidance of progression and recurrence, respectively, and avoidance of a postthrombotic syndrome. In contrast to heparinization, thrombolysis has the advantage of high recanalization rates, but the disadvantage of higher incidence of hemorrhage. With clinically proven dosage regimens of streptokinase and urokinase in our experience, complete recanalization rates are in the range of 30% of primary occluded vessels. According to pivotal and dose-finding studies, the results with tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) are within the same range. In a different approach, the thrombolytic substances are delivered in a loco-regional type via a vein of the foot. There is some evidence from pivotal clinical trials that the same recanalization rates are obtainable as with streptokinase in ultrahigh dosage. Considering the individual importance and also the epidemiologic and economic value of deep venous thrombosis, there is a need for prospective, randomized trials. Results of clinical studies currently under way will hopefully show the benefit of such new therapeutic strategies.