http://www.appliedradiology.com RSS Feed on Applied Radiologyhttp://www.appliedradiology.com//Issues/2001/07/Supplements/Thrombolytic-Therapy-For-Acute-Iliofemoral-Deep-Vein-Thrombosis--Past,-Present-and-Future.aspxThe major complications of iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis (IFDVT) are pulmonary embolism and post-thrombotic syndrome. Although anticoagulation may prevent thrombus propagation, the dissolution of the clot is dependent on the body's own intrinsic fibrinolytic system. Surgical thrombectomy has had limited success rates, with early recurrent thrombosis. The systemic infusion of a lytic drug is fraught with a threefold increase in major bleeding complication rate. Acute IFDVT (<10 days) responds well to catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy. The lytic drug is delivered directly into the clot burden, thereby providing a higher thrombolytic efficiency, reduction in the overall dose of the lytic drug needed, decrease in infusion time, and rapid clearance.Wednesday, 05 Sep 2001 20:08:37 GMT