Embolism/thrombosis

Streptokinase is contraindicated in patients with nlcerative wounds, active internal bleeding, recent trauma with possible internal injuries, visceral or intracranial malignancy, ulcerative cohtis, diverticulitis, severe hypertension, acute or chronic hepatic or renal insufficiency, uncontrolled hypoco-agnlation, chronic pulmonary disease with cavitation, sub-acnte bacterial endocarditis or rheumatic valvular disease, recent cerebral embolism, thrombosis, or hemorrhage, and diabetic hemorrhagic retinopathy, becanse excessive bleeding may occur. 

Indications for treatment with streptokinase include acute occlusion of arteries, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. Streptokinase therapy in coronary thrombosis, which is the usual cause of myocardial infarction (54,71,72), has proved to be valuable. In this frequently fatal condition, the enzyme is adrninistered intravenously at a dose of 1.5 million units over 60 min, or given by intracoronary infusion at a 20,000- to 50,000-unit bolus dose followed by 2000 to 4000 units/min for 60 min therapy must be instituted as soon as practicable after the diagnosis of heart attack is made. For deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or arterial occlusion, streptokinase is infused at a loading dose of 250,000 units given over 30 min, followed by a maintenance dose of 100,000 units over a 60-min period. 

In general, arterial thrombi are platelet-rich ( white clots ) and form at ruptured atherosclerotic plaques, leading to intraluminal occlusion of arteries that can result in end-organ injury (e.g., myocardial infarction, stroke). In contrast, venous thrombi consist mainly of fibrin and red blood cells ( red clots ), and usually form in low-flow veins of the limbs, producing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) the major threat to life results when lower extremity (and, occasionally, upper extremity) venous thrombi embolize via the right heart chambers into the pulmonary arteries, i.e., pulmonary embolism (PE). 

Prevention and treatment of venous thrombosis, PE, peripheral arterial embolism ... 

Many serious health problems result from abnormally located blood clots heart attacks (clots in coronary arteries), pulmonary embolism (clots in the lungs), and peripheral arterial occlusion and deep vein thrombosis (clots in the limbs). Each year heart attacks alone afflict over a million people in the United States, and almost half of them die as a result. 

Streptokinase is administered by intravenous or intra-arterial infusion in the treatment of thrombo-embolic disorders, e g. pulmonary embolism, deep-vein thrombosis and arterial occlusiorrs. It is also used in acute myocardial irtfarclioa... 

Dissection of the internal carotid and vertebral arteries is a common cause of stroke, particularly in young patients. Although many occur due to trauma, it is estimated that over half occur spontaneously. The mechanism of stroke following arterial dissection is either by artery-to-artery embolism, by thrombosis in situ, or by dissection-induced lumenal stenosis with secondary cerebral hypoperfusion and low-flow watershed infarction. Occasionally, dissection may lead to the formation of a pseudoaneurysm as a source of thrombus formation. Vertebrobasilar dissections that extend intracranially have a higher risk of rupture leading to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). ° ... 

Kamphuisen PW, Agnelli G. What is the optimal pharmacological prophylaxis for the prevention of deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients with acute ischemic stroke Thromb Res 2007 119(3) 265-274. 

Management of Deep-Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism... 

Streptokinase + 35% +++/+ Infusion over 60 minutes 613 Pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, arterial thromboembol ism, clearance of an occluded arteriovenous catheter... 

Identify risk factors and signs and symptoms of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. 

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is one of the most common cardiovascular disorders in the United States. VTE is manifested as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) resulting from thrombus formation in the venous circulation (Fig. 7-1).1 It is often provoked by prolonged immobility and vascular injury and is most frequently seen in patients who have been hospitalized for a serious medical illness, trauma, or major surgery. VTE can also occur with little or no provocation in patients who have an underlying hypercoagulable disorder. 

DVT, deep vein thrombosis HIT, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia PAI-I, plasminogen activator inhibitor PE, pulmonary embolism SERM, selective estrogen receptor modulator VTE, venous thromboembolism. 

Pulmonary hypertension develops late in the course of COPD, usually after the development of severe hypoxemia. It is the most common cardiovascular complication of COPD and can result in cor pulmonale, or right-sided heart failure. Hypoxemia plays the primary role in the development of pulmonary hypertension by causing vasoconstriction of the pulmonary arteries and by promoting vessel wall remodeling. Destruction of the pulmonary capillary bed by emphysema further contributes by increasing the pressure required to perfuse the pulmonary vascular bed. Cor pulmonale is associated with venous stasis and thrombosis that may result in pulmonary embolism. Another important systemic effect is the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, which contributes to exercise limitations and declining health status. 

The WHI demonstrated an increased risk in venous thromboembolic disease in the HRT group (0.34%) compared with placebo (0.16%) (HR 2.11,95% Cl 1.58-2.82). This translates into an NNTH of approximately 555 and 18 more cases of venous thromboembolic events for every 10,000 women treated per year with HRT.3 The risk for deep vein thrombosis also was increased in the ERT arm of the WHI, but pulmonary embolism was not increased significantly.21... 

Lenalidomide (Revlimid) Possible birth defects (since analogue of thalidomide), neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, pruritis, fatigue Dose is 10 mg orally taken with water once daily Women of childbearing age must use two forms of contraception Pregnancy test must be taken before and during use... 

Mechanical complications of PN are related to catheter placement and the system and equipment used to administer PN. A central venous catheter must be placed by a trained professional, and risks associated with placement include pneumothorax, arterial puncture, bleeding, hematoma formation, venous thrombosis, and air embolism.1,20 Over time, the catheter may require replacement. Problems with the equipment include malfunctions of the infusion pump, intravenous tubing sets, and filters. 

By far the most widely measured marker of hemostatic activation is D-dimer, which is a product formed by the action of plasmin on cross-linked fibrin (95). D-dimer levels in plasma are generally elevated in DIC. The consumption of platelets and coagulation proteins as a result of thrombin generation leads to the deposition of fibrin thrombi at multiple organ sites. This triggers fibrinolysis with an increase in the formation of fibrin degradation products, which can cause bleeding at multiple sites. Because DIC can have a variety of causes and may coexist with systemic fibrinolysis, such as in pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis, the d-Dimer test is not specific for DIC (95). 

Collins R., Scrimgeour A., Yusuf S Peto R. Reduction in fatal pulmonary embolism and venous thrombosis by perioperative administration of subcutaneous heparin Overview of results of randomized trials in general, orthopedic, and urologic surgery. N Engl J Med 1988 318, 1162-73. 

Eriksson B. I., Kalebo P Anthmyr B. A., et al. Prevention of deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism after total hip replacement. Comparison of low molecular weight heparin and unfractionated heparin. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 1991 73A, 484-93. 

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) results from clot formation in the venous circulation and is manifested as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). A DVT is a thrombus composed of cellular material (red and white blood cells, platelets) bound together with fibrin strands. A PE is a thrombus that arises from the systemic circulation and lodges in the pulmonary artery or one of its branches, causing complete or partial obstruction of pulmonary blood flow. 

Tamoxifen is usually well tolerated. Symptoms of estrogen withdrawal (hot flashes and vaginal bleeding) may occur but decrease in frequency and intensity over time. Tamoxifen increases the risks of stroke, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, and endometrial cancer, particularly in women age 50 years or older. 

It is remarkable that most of the data collected from the available SERMs are unanimous in reproducing an estrogen agonistic profile in venous thrombogenesis. The vast clinical experience acquired with tamoxifen confirms an augmented risk for both deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. This increase, however, did not presuppose increased mortality in the overview of randomized trials of adjuvant tamoxifen for early breast cancer, where the one extra death per 5000 woman-years of tamoxifen attributed to pulmonary embolus was not statistically significant (Early Breast Cancer Trialists Collaborative Group 1998). 

Silverstein MD, Heit JA, Mohr DN, et al. (1998) Trends in the incidence of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism a 25-year population-based study. Arch Intern Med 158 585-593... 

Tamoxifen users present also a doubling incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) (118 vs. 62 cases). This increase is similar to that seen with HRT. There are some aspects of this side effect that should be commented on to improve the management of women eligible for tamoxifen treatment and at risk for DVT (Goldhaber 2005). In the subanalysis of the Italian study (Decensi et al. 2005), the venous thromboembolism definition included DVT, PE, and superficial phlebitis. Most of the VTE that the authors reported were, in fact, cases of superficial phlebitis, whereas the admitted definition of venous thromboembolism excludes this entity. Such conceptual differences, together with differences in age and background characteristics between the four studies, can explain the diversity in the incidences observed. 

Pulmonary embolism or venous thrombosis 250,000U IVover 30 min, then 100,000 U/hr IV Infusion x 72 hours. 

---