Urokinase Therapy in Clinical Pulmonary Embolism

Abstract

DESPITE significant advances in the early diagnosis of pulmonary embolic disease, little new has been added to therapy. Medical treatment, however, has improved through earlier and more frequent use of heparin or orally administered anticoagulants.1 Indications for use and route of administration of heparin, the extent of prophylaxis and the role of the anticoagulants in therapy of pulmonary embolic disease, however, still lack unanimous agreement.2 Although anticoagulant therapy has been effective in reducing thromboembolic episodes,3 no direct effect on the thromboembolus itself has been identified. In the immediate past several thrombolytic agents have yielded disappointing results. The reasons for failure . . .