Abstract
A review of the world literature on streptokinase treatment of arterial thromboembolic disease is presented, followed by two cases of peripheral arterial thromboembolic disease successfully treated with streptokinase. The role of streptokinase in the treatment of arterial occlusive disease is discussed, and its emerging role as a primary mode of therapy in thromboembolic arterial disease is predicted.
The successful management of venous embolic and occlusive disease by treatment with streptokinase is well-known, including its use in treating pul monary emboli, deep venous thromboses and clotted hemodialysis shunts. However, the role of streptokinase in the management of arterial thromboem bolic disease has not received much attention in the United States, although it has been used extensively in Europe.
The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on the use of strep tokinase in treating thromboembolic arterial disease, to present two cases successfully treated with this technique, and to discuss the emerging role of streptokinase in arterial thromboembolic disease.
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