A pitfall of fibrinolysis. Aneurysms found after attempted fibrinolytic therapy of occluded arteries.

SUMMARY: Three patients with angiographically invisible aneurysms found after attempted fibrinolytic therapy are presented. One aneurysm bled during the procedure with a tragic result. All of aneurysms were located distal to the occluded arteries. Aneurysms were preexisting and invisible distal to the occluded artery, or they developed rapidly after the fibrinolysis. These aneurysms were at a risk for rupture during and after fibrinolytic therapy.