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Frequently Asked Questions

A: Thrombolysis is a form of treating blood clots, which uses a drug called a plasminogen activator. The drug activates the body’s plasminogen to form plasmin, which is the enzyme that actively dissolves blood clot. Thrombolysis is best performed by delivering the plasminogen activator directly into the blood clot.

A: Patients who have extensive deep venous thrombosis benefit the most from catheter-directed thrombolysis. These patients usually have iliofemoral (pelvic and thigh) venous thrombosis.

A: Thrombolysis is aimed at (a) preventing pulmonary embolism (clot moving to the lung), (b) reducing or eliminating the acute symptoms of extensive venous thrombosis, and (c) reducing or avoiding post-thrombotic symptoms.

A: Yes. Other benefits of catheter-directed thrombolysis include eliminating obstruction of the deep venous system, potentially preserving the function of the vein valves, and identifying an underlying stenosis (narrowing) of an iliac vein, which can be corrected with balloon angioplasty and/or stenting. By correcting the iliac stenosis, recurrent thrombosis may be avoided.

A: The main complication is bleeding. This most commonly occurs from the puncture site of the catheter or from other needle puncture sites that the patient may have had. Serious intracranial (brain) bleeding is rare in low-risk patients. Pulmonary embolism is also a rare complication.

A: Patients who cannot receive thrombolytic agents can be offered a surgical procedure called venous thrombectomy, which is an operation designed to mechanically remove the blood clot from the vein. High-risk patients who are not candidates for either thrombolysis or thrombectomy should be offered conventional anticoagulation.