Massive hemothorax following administration of intrapleural streptokinase

The administration of intrapleural streptokinase [IPSK] is widely practiced in the management of loculated empyema thoracis. To our knowledge, there have been only 4 cases of hemorrhagic complications attributed to the administration of IPSK reported in the literature. In this article, we report a case of a 17-year-old girl who received IPSK and developed shock, anemia, coagulopathy and massive hemothorax. Our discussion focuses on the hemorrhagic complication of chest tube insertion and the role of IPSK in blood clot lysis and inhibition of local hemostasis

O uso da estreptoquinase no tratamento da oclusão arterial aguda pós cateterização da artéria femoral em crianças com menos de 10 kg / The use of streptokinase in the treatment of acute arterial occlusion after catheterization of the femoral artery in children weighing less than 10 kg

Contexto: O tratamento da oclusão arterial aguda em menores de 5 kg tem constutuído tema de discussão. Objetivo: Avaliar o tratamento do quadro da oclusão arterial aguda. pós cateterismo da artéria femoral em crianças com menos de 10 kg com o uso de heparina isolada e também associada com estreptoquinase, e comparar os resultados do exame físico (como diagnóstico), da reversão da oclusão arterial, de complicações e de exames laboratoriais nos dois métodos. Trinta casos de oclusão da artéria femoral foram identificados em 1.583 cateterismos em crianças no Instituto de Cardiologia de Porto Alegre, entre 1992 e 2000. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos um usou apenas heparina (14 casos), e o outro usou heparina associada com estreptokinase (16 casos). Os exames laboratoriais (tempo de protrombina, tempo de tromboplastina parcial ativado e fibrinogênio) coletados antes e durante a infusão intravenosa foram avaliados estatisticamente, assim como o tempo de uso da medicação, as complicações e os resultados. Resultados: O exame físico mostrou-se método fidedigno para avaliar a oclusão, no grupo que utilizou a associação de heparina e estreptoquinase, houve a resolução de 87 por cento dos casos de oclusão arterial, e a principal complicação foi sangramento no sítio de punção em 56,3 por cento dos pacientes.Os resultados apresentaram...

High dose versus low dose streptokinase infusion in patients with submassive pulmonary embolism and echocardiographic right ventricular dysfunction

Pulmonary embolism [PE] remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the general population, the established treatment for PE is anticoagulation. It has previously been demonstrated that thrombolytic therapy can be lifesaving in patients with massive PE [haemodynamic instability and right heart failure]. However, the use of thrombolytic therapy in patients with submassive PE [haemodynamically stable] remains a controversial topic. Recent clinical studies, however, support evidence that thrombolysis may favorably affect the outcomes in a wider spectrum of high risk PE patients presenting with right ventricular dysfunction [RVD] as evidenced by decreased right ventricular end diastolic diameter [RVEDD], disappearance of paradoxical septal motion [PSM], and tricuspid regurge [TR] as well as decrease in the pulmonary artery pressure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect high dose streptokinase [SK] in 1 hour versus low dose SK in 24 hours in patients with submassive PE and RVD. The study included 50 patients [25 males and 25 females, mean age 45.5 y] with submassive PE [positive spiral CT chest] and RVD [proved by echocardiography]. Those without contraindications to SK were randomly assigned to receive either high dose [group 1] or low dose [group 2] of SK. Those with contraindication [s] to SK received anticoagulation [group 3]. Echocardiography was done before and 72 h after treatment. Right ventricular dysfunction [RVEDD, PSM, and TR] and mean pulmonary artery pressure [PAP] improved significantly 72 h after treatment in group 1 and 2, while a slight improvement in PAP was observed after treatment in group 3. No significant difference was noticed between group 1 and 2 regarding the effect of treatment on RVD or PAP. No significant difference was found between group 1 and 2 regarding the complications of SK. No significant difference was found between the 3 groups regarding the mortality. These data suggest that SK can rapidly reverse the pulmonary hypertension and RVD in contrast to anticoagulation. Both protocols of SK are equieffective in rapid reversal of RVD and pulmonary hypertension. Both protocols were safe as proved by absence of difference in mortality over anticoagulant group

Utilidad de la terapia trombolítica con estreptokinasa a dosis baja en infarto agudo del miocardio / Usefulness of thrombolytic therapy with low doses of streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction

Background: The optimal dose of Streptokinase in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction is not well established. Apparently, the thrombolytic efficacy would not increase with doses over 750.000 units. Aim: To compare the effectiveness and safety of treatment with low doses of Streptokinase, ranging from 500.000 to 750.000 units, in patients with ST elevation acute myocardial infarction. Patients and methods: From September 1993 to September 1998, the GEMI register of patients with acute myocardial infarction, was carried out in 37 hospitals, incorporating 4,938 patients. Of these, 1,631 patients received streptokinase. According to the administered dose of Streptokinase, patients were divided in two groups: 1,465 patients who received 1.5 millions U in 60 minutes (classical therapy group), and 166 patients with ischemic chest discomfort and either ST-segment elevation or left bundle-branch block on the electrocardiogram, who received 500.000 to 750.000 U streptokinase administered in no more than 30 minutes, with heparin, within 0 to 6 hours of symptom onset. Successful reperfusion, mortality, complications, and hospital outcome was evaluated in both groups. Results: The low dose group of patients had a better reperfusion criteria profile. No differences between groups were observed in patient evolution, mortality, maximum Killip classification, post myocardial infarction heart failure, ischemic complications, arrhythmias or mechanical complications. Conclusions: These results suggest that streptokinase in low doses is at least as effective as classical therapy, in the treatment of ST elevation acute myocardial infarction.

Complications of streptokinase during infusion in acute myocardial infarction

Myocardial infarction is one of the most common causes of death worldwide. The cornerstone of therapy is thrombolytic therapy. Coronary thrombolysis helps restore coronary patency, preserves left ventricular function and improves survival. The most common thrombolytic agent used is streptokinase. But thrombolytic therapy is at times associated with some complications. This comparative study was aimed to find out the complications occurring during streptokinase infusion in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction in Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Two hundred patients with definite diagnosis of acute myocardial infraction, who presented to East Medical Ward, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, were included in this study. All patients presenting with AMI were considered for SK therapy. Those who were actually given SK constituted the SK group and those who were not fit for SK, but otherwise SK was indicated, constituted the control group. In SK group 100 patients were given standard t reatment of acute myocardial infarction including streptokinase. In control group 100 patients were given standard treatment of acute myocardial infarction except streptokinase due to non-eligibility. Patients with typical chest pain of at least 30 minutes duration, serial ECG changes and serial cardiac enzyme changes were entered in the study. Comparative / interventional Post SK changes in blood pressure were significant [p= 0.011]. There was post SK hypotension in 48 [24%] and post SK hypertension in 20 [10%] patients. Allergic reaction was present in 4 [2%] only [p=0.044]. Arrhythmias were significantly less prominent in SK group [p=0.000]. Post SK bleeding occurred in 3 [1.5%] only [p=0.082]. 37 patients died [18.5%] in total, out of which 5 [2.55] patients died in SK group and 32 in control group [p=0.000]. CVA occurred in 1 SK group patient only, which was found to be hemorrhagic on CT scan [p= 0.31]. Early administration of SK lowers in-hospital mortality [p= 0.00 0]. Major complications during SK therapy are Hypotension [p= 0.011], Arrhythmias [p= 0.000], Allergic reactions [p= 0.044]

Resultados a corto plazo de angioplastía de rescate en pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio con trombólisis fallida / Short-term results of rescue angioplasty in patients with acute myocardial infarction and failure of thrombolysis treatment

El objetivo es describir nuestra experiencia, resultados clínicos y angiográficos inmediatos en pacientes con IAM sometidos a angioplastía coronaria transluminal percutánea de rescate (ACTPR). Material y métodos: Tipo de estudio; retrospectivo, observacional, transversal y descriptivo con seguimiento a 30 días. De enero de 2001 a julio de 2004 se realizaron 3,238 procedimientos de ACTP con aplicación de stent a pacientes con diagnóstico de cardiopatía isquémica por aterosclerosis coronaria, se seleccionó a 32 pacientes que representan el 0.98%, con edad de 47 a 79 años promedio de 63, 24 (75%) del sexo masculino, con hipertensión arterial sistémica 29 (90.6%), diabetes mellitus 18 (56.3%), hipercolesterolemia 11 (34.4%), tabaquismo 24 (75%), con antecedentes de angina inestable 9 (28.1%) y con infarto miocardio previo 2 (6.3%). La localización del IAM: anterior extenso 14 (43.8%), anteroseptal en 6 (18.8%), postero-inferior en 5 (15.6%), Pl con extensión eléctrica y/o hemodinámica en VD en 4 (12.5%), lateral en 1 (3.1%). Se trombolizaron en un tiempo promedio 3.19 horas (rango 2-7) con estreptoquinasa 19 (59.4%) y con rTPA 13 (40.6%), la CPK-MB pico (U) promedio de 348 ± 240. Con Killip Kimball (KK) 1 en cinco (15.6%), II 16 (50%), III 5 (15.6%) y IV 6 (18.8%) éstos manejados con balón intraaórtico de contrapulsación. Resultados: Llevados a sala de hemodinamia en un tiempo de 6 a 24 h encontrando flujo TIMI 0 en 16 (50%), TIMI 1 en diez (31.2%), TIMI 2 en seis (18.8%), promedio de vasos enfermos de 1.9. Se implantó stent en 27 (84.3%). Éxito angiográfico post ACTP más stent TIMI 3 en 24 (75%). Complicaciones: En 9(28.1%), en 7 (21.8%) con no reflujo y en 1 (3.1%) disección de la arteria coronaria relacionada con el IAM, 6 (18.7%) que fallecieron, en 4 (12.5%) con choque cardiogénico; 3 (9.3%) la ACTPR fue fallida. Conclusión: La ACTPR es un procedimiento de alto riesgo y pese a ello es una buena alternativa de tratamiento en pacientes con trombólisis fallida.

The present study is aimed at describing the short-term assessment of clinical and angiographic results in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with rescue percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (RPTCA). Methods: We reviewed retrospectively, from January 2001 to July 2004, the interventional procedures performed in patients with coronary heart disease. From a total of 3,258 patients we selected 32 (0.98%) with acute myocardial infarction and failure of thrombolysis treatment, which were treated with RPTCA to relief the symptoms. Average age was 63 years (range 47-79), there were 24 men (75%); hypertension in 29 (90.6%); diabetes mellitus in 18 (56.3%); currently smoking 24 (75%); dyslipidemia in 11 (34.4%); unstable angina in 9 (28.1%); previous myocardial infarction in 2 (6.3%). The area related to the infarction was anterior and lateral in 14 (43.8%), anteroseptal in 6 (18.8%), postero-inferior in 5 (15.6%) with electric and hemodynamic involvement in 4 (12.5%), lateral in 1(3.1 %). Thrombolysis treatment was delivered in 3.19 hours (range 2-7 hours) with streptokinasein 19 (59.4%) and rTPA in 13 (40.6%). The evaluated serum marker was CPK-MB with the highest level of 348 ± 240 U/L. Killip Kimball (KK) class was established as follows: KKI in 5 (15.6%), II in 16 (50%), III in 5 (15.6%), and IV in 6 (18.8%). Patients with cardiogenic shock were treated with intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation. Results: Time between symptoms and arrival to the cath lab was 11 hours (range 6-24 hours). TIMI flow was: TIMI 0 in 16(50%). TIMI 1 in 10 (31.2%), TIMI 2 in 6 (18.8%). The number of vessels with a significant lesion was 1.9 (range 1-4). Stents were placed in 27 (84.3%) patients. Angiographic success post-angioplasty was achieved in 24 (75%); there were 9 complications (28.1%), no reflow in 7 (21.8%), coronary dissection in 1 (3.1%). Six patients died (18.7%) and 4 of them (12.5%) were in cardiogenic shock. Conclusion: RPT-CA is a high-risk procedure, being an acceptable treatment option for patients with thrombolysis failure.

Intrapleural streptokinase in multiloculated malignant pleural effusion.

Intrapleural administration of fibrinolytic agents has been shown to be effective and safe in the treatment of loculated parapneumonic effusions. Its use in multiloculated malignant pleural effusions has been rarely reported. We report a case of malignant multiloculated pleural effusion who failed to respond to standard chest tube drainage but showed dramatic and complete resolution with intrapleural streptokinase.

Doble dosis de estreptocinasa en tromboembolismo pulmonar masivo con trombo flotante libre en la auricula derecha / double conventional doses of streptokinase in a massive pulmonary thromboembolism with a free-floating thrombus in the right atrium

Presentamos el caso de una paciente con tromboembolismo pulmonar grave, disfunción ventricular derecha y shock sostenido, con altos requerimientos de drogas vasoactivas, con un trombo flotante en aurícula derecha, cuya situación hemodinámica y clínica, así como la imagen ecocardiográfica fueron resueltas mediante la infusión endovenosa de dos dosis completas de estreptocinasa, separadas por un intervalo de 72 horas.

Efficacy, safety and tolerability of streptokinase in multiloculated empyema

Empyema thoracis is a common illness with significant morbidity and mortality. Standard treatment of Empyema includes tube drainage and antibiotics. But the tube drainage often fails if the fluid is loculated. Intrapleural Streptokinase has been used in multiloculated empyemas with good success rate. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of intra-pleural Streptokinase in loculated empyemas. A total of 15 patients admitted in Pulmonology unit with multiloculated empyemas whose drainage via drainage tube was less than 100 ml during the last 24 hours were included in the study. Aliquots of 250,000 units of Streptokinase in 100 ml of normal saline were instilled into the pleural cavity and the tube clamped for 3 hours. Response was assessed by clinical outcome, measurement of drain output after unclamping and subsequent chest radiography and serial chest ultrasounds. Streptokinase enhanced drainage in all patients with complete resolution of Empyema in 13 patients. Two patients with thickened visceral pleura following empyema drainage were referred to thoracic surgeon for decortication. The number of instillations of Streptokinase per patient ranged from 1 to 3 and the volume of drained empyema fluid ranged from 60 ml to 600 ml per patient. Streptokinase was well tolerated in all patients. Intrapleural Streptokinase is a safe and effective means of increasing the tube drainage in multiloculated Empyema without causing systemic fibrinolysis

clinical utility of intrapleural streptokinase in a patient with bilateral pleural empyema

Bilateral thoracic empyema is a rare clinical entity particularly when presented as an initial clinical manifestation. Antibiotic therapy with intercostal thoracostomy drainage tube of the infected pleural space in complicated parapneumonic empyema may not be adequate in many conditions due to multiloculation and adhesion. We describe in this case a previously healthy middle aged male, presented with a bilateral thoracic empyema that was treated initially with antibiotics and intercostal drainage tube without optimal drainage results. The administration of twice daily intrapleural streptokinase prolonged for the duration of more than 10 days proved to be safe and effective as an alternative line of management in such a clinical condition

Unilateral central retinal artery occlusion following intravenous streptokinase.

A 38-year-old male with acute myocardial infraction who had received streptokinase presented with acute painless diminution of vision in the left eye. Examination revealed features of central retinal artery occlusion on the left side with vision of perception of light. Treatment in the form of systemic and local intraocular pressure lowering agents, retrobulbar xanthinol nicotinate and systemic injection of B-complex resulted in improvement of vision to counting fingers up to one meter. In this case thrombolytic therapy itself led to embolism into the left central retinal artery resulting in its occlusion and eventually optic atrophy and blindness.

Intrapleural streptokinase in a two-year-old child with a parapneumonic effusion.

A two-year-old child was hospitalised with features of parapneumonic effusion. He was initially managed with parenteral antibiotics and chest tube drainage. After three days drainage became insignificant inspite of chest tube being patent and appropriately positioned. CT scan of chest showed multiloculated effusion. In view of multiloculated effusion it was decided to try intrapleural fibrinolysis with streptokinase. Streptokinase in a dose of 1,25000 IU dissolved in 50 ml of normal saline was instilled through the chest tube daily. After instilling three doses, there was a significant increase in the drainage followed by almost complete radiological resolution. There were no side effects. Intrapleural streptokinase is a useful adjunctive threapeutic modality in the management of complicated parapneumonic effusion or empyema in paediatric patients.

Efficacy of rapid infusion of streptokinase in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

The early use of thrombolytic agents is now the most important treatment in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The earlier reperfusion should result in a higher survival rate. To determine whether the faster infusion of streptokinase (SK) will produce earlier reperfusion, 40 patients were enrolled to the trial. Half of them received 1.5 mu. of SK in one hour while the others received 1.5 mu. in half an hour. The rapid infusion group tended to have earlier reperfusion but there was no statistically significant difference in the reperfusion time. Hypotension was observed in both groups but more in the conventional group and responded to intravenous fluid replacement. Bleeding complication was low in both groups. Four patients died, one from re-occlusion and developed severe bradycardia, the remainder had cardiogenic shock which did not respond to treatment. It can be concluded that SK infusion in half an hour is safe but the beneficial effect remains to be seen in a large scale study.

Accelerated infusion of streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction results in better TIMI flow grade in infarct-related artery.

Bolus followed by rapid infusion of tissue plasminogen activator results in higher grade of TIMI flow in infarct-related artery as compared to slow infusion. In the present study, an accelerated regimen of streptokinase given over 15 minutes was compared with conventional infusion over one hour in 47 patients presenting within 12 hours of acute myocardial infarction. Forty-seven patients (44 males, 3 females; mean age 54.0 +/- 1.1 years) were randomly allocated to receive 1.5 million units of streptokinase either over 15 minutes (group 1, n = 24) or over one hour (group 2, n = 23) at a mean interval of 5.4 +/- 3.6 hours after onset of symptoms. All the patients received aspirin and intravenous heparin (1000 U/hr) for 96 hours after thrombolysis. Coronary angiography was performed in 43 patients (22 in group 1, 21 in group 2) prior to discharge from the hospital (mean 7 +/- 2.1 days after acute myocardial infarction) and patency of the infarct-related artery and grade of TIMI flow were determined. Infarct-related artery was patent (TIMI 2/3 flow) in 19 (86.4%) patients in group 1 as compared to 12 (57.1%) in group 2 (p < 0.05). TIMI grade 3 flow in the infarct-related artery was present in 13 (59.1%) in group 1 as compared to 7 (33.3%) in group 2 (p = 0.1). There was no significant difference between group 1 and 2 in time of presentation (mean 5.3 +/- 3.9 hrs vs 5.5 +/- 3.2 hrs), time to needle in hospital (25.6 +/- 11.2 min vs 26.3 +/- 6.2 min), site of infarct (anterior myocardial infarction 12 in group 1 vs 11 in group 2), relief of pain at 90 min (13 vs 12), more than 50 percent reduction of ST elevation at 90 minutes (17 vs 12) and left ventricular ejection fraction (48.8 +/- 9.1% vs 49.8 +/- 16.0%), respectively. Streptokinase was well tolerated in both the groups, although hypotension was more common with the accelerated regimen (5 in group 1 vs 3 in group 2; p = NS). Thus, 'accelerated' streptokinase given over 15 minutes in patients presenting within 12 hours of acute myocardial infarction is well tolerated and results in higher grades of TIMI flow in the infarct-related artery as compared to the "conventional" one-hour infusion regimen.

Efficacy in giving timely thrombolytic therapy in patients of acute myocardial infarction in Mayo Hospital, Lahore

This study was carried out in Mayo Hospital, Lahore to see the efficacy of administration of thrombolytic therapy within the target time of 30 minutes in patients with acute myocardial infaction [AMI]. For this purpose 52 patients with AMI eligible for thrombolysis were included, and timings were recorded for each step in administering streptokinase [SK]. 47 patients were male and 5 were female. Two peaks occurred at 42-50 years and 60-65 years of age. 30 [57.7 percent] patients had anterior wall MI and 22[43.2 percent] had inferior wall MI. On average times noted were: ECG in 15.4 min, SK decided and relatives informed after 17.5 min, SK available in 51.6 min and infusion started in 12.8 min, and aggregate in-hospital delay was of 97.5 min. Only 20 [38.5 percent] patients had an ECG done in 10 min, and door-to-needle time of 30 min was achieved in only 5 [9.6 percent] patients. Factors including sex, education, arrival time, and known IHD were not statistically significant, except that those in lower socioeconomic groups took significantly longer to reach the hospital and then bringing SK. Hence it is important that hospitals should develop proper plans to identify and rapidly manage such patients in the emergency room. SK should also be available in the emergency department

Renal artery embolism: therapy with intra-arterial streptokinase infusion.

Two patients with acute renal artery embolism were reported. One patient had a history of rheumatic valvular heart disease and the other patient had hereditary cardiomyopathy. Both patients had atrial fibrillation on physical examination. Both patients presented with acute back pain and one patient had hematuria. The final diagnosis of acute renal artery embolism was made after one to three days of hospitalization and renal angiography was finally done documenting complete occlusion of the main branch of the renal artery on one side. Intra-arterial streptokinase infusion 5,000 unit per hour was given to both patients using an arterial pump for 17 hours to 30 hours with complete recanalization of the intrarenal branches and complete recovery of signs and symptoms of renal artery embolism although the renal scan still showed diminished renal function.

Daño arterial y uso de fleboesclerosantes / Arterial damage and use of fleboesclerosing agents

Aunque el tratamiento con agentes fleboesclerosantes constituye una alternativa para las várices, éste no está exento de complicaciones, las que pueden ser de tipo general y local. De estas últimas, la inyección intraarterial accidental es la más temida y devastadora, ya que puede llevar a la pérdida de la extremidad. Presentamos un caso clínico de esta complicación que fue tratado en forma algo tardía con un resultado aceptable, a través de una infusión sistémica con estreptoquinasa. Se concluye que si bien este tratamiento es una buena alternativa para tratar las várices, éste debe ser restringido a casos muy seleccionados, evitando los sitios de riesgo de punción arterial y hecho por profesionales entrenados en la materia

Dose or the rate of SK infusion in recent AMI: a study of reperfusion dysrhythmias

This work was carried out on 80 patients with acute recent myocardial infarction [AMI] to study the incidence of reperfusion by the observation of reperfusion arrhythmias in relation to the rate of infusion of streptokinase [SK]. The patients were subgrouped into two groups. Group A included 40 patients received SK 1.5 million units over one hour and group B included 40 patients received the same dose of SK over 30 minutes. The reperfusion arrhythmias were observed and recorded over 90 minutes after SK infusion. The higher the rate of infusion of SK, the higher the rate of reperfusion without the need to increase the dose, which was important from the socio-economic point of view and also without increasing the incidence of complications