[Fibrinolytic therapy of lower limb deep vein thrombosis with urokinase (author's transl)].

In 81 patients with deep vein thrombosis of the lower limb, urokinase therapy was performed in combination with heparin according to a new regimen at higher dosages. When urokinase was administered at an initial maintenance dosage of 1,000-2,000 IU/kg/h (loading dose 150,000-250,000 IU), phlebographically documented complete or partial recanalization could be observed in 68% of the cases. The higher dosage schedule induced a more pronounced deobliteration especially in treatment of iliac vein thromboses (67% recanalization) in comparison to the lower dosage regimen (only 43% recanalization). Nearly comparable therapeutic results could be achieved in therapy of popliteal or saphenous vein thromboses. The data suggest that the higher dosage schedule examined here is indicated in treatment of extensive and large volume thromboses. The dosage of urokinase was further adjusted to attain a reduction of fibrinogen to 50-100 mg/dl. The concentration should not fall below 50 mg/dl. Therapy with urokinase proved practicable. Serious side effects did not occur. 8.6% of the patients showed hematuria and 6% a decrease of the Hb by more than 2 g/dl. The high proportion of older thromboses and the only low rate of recanalization (23%) in these cases suggest the necessity of an early commencement of fibrinolyses in therapy of deep vein thrombosis.