Present aspects of thrombolytic therapy of pulmonary artery thromboembolism

Abstract

The concept of high-risk pulmonary artery embolism determines that verification of the occlusion of the pulmonary arterial bed requires urgent restoration of pulmonary blood flow in such patients. Thrombolytic therapy is currently recognized as the main treatment for pulmonary artery thromboembolism. It can save patients’ lives, prevent the development of chronic post embolic pulmonary hypertension and thromboembolism recurrence. The literature review presents thrombolytic medications used in the treatment of pulmonary thromboembolism, describes indications for thrombolytic therapy, comparative efficiency and safety of various thrombolytics. The main complications of thrombolytic therapy are described and the issues of increasing its safety are raised. Criteria for the success of thrombolysis are early diagnosis, accurate risk stratification, and adequate use of reperfusion agents in patients with high-risk or transitionally high-risk of pulmonary embolism.