Urokinase thrombolytic therapy of pulmonary embolism in neurosurgically treated patients.

Abstract

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a severe complication in neurosurgery. The best treatment of PE is thrombolytic therapy, but the presence of either intracranial neoplasm or recent neurosurgical procedures is considered a major contraindication to this therapy. We have used urokinase thrombolytic therapy in nine of our patients with severe PE that occurred from 7 to 34 days after a neurosurgical operation. All patients survived. No intracranial hemorrhage occurred. We also advocate thrombolytic therapy for severe PE in patients who were recently operated on by neurosurgical procedure.

• Authors: P Severi, G Lo Pinto, R Poggio, G Andrioli
• Journal: Surgical neurology (Surg Neurol) Vol. 42 Issue 6 Pg. 469-70 (Dec 1994) ISSN: 0090-3019 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7825099 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Craniotomy
• Female
• Humans
• Laminectomy
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Postoperative Complications (drug therapy)
• Pulmonary Embolism (drug therapy)
• Retrospective Studies
• Thrombolytic Therapy
• Treatment Outcome
• Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator (therapeutic use)
• Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt