Thrombolytic therapy using a low dose of tissue plasminogen activator in children

ObjectiveTo analyse the efficacy and side effects of low doses of tissue plasminogen activator for the treatment of acute arterial and/or venous thrombosis in children.Patients and methodsProspective observational clinical study. 18 children between 1 months and 11 years treated with low doses (0.01-0.06 mg/kg/h) of continuous intravenous thrombolytic therapy with t-PA were studied.ResultsA total of 94% of patients improved with low doses t-PA (72% complete resolution of the thrombosis and 22% partial resolution). One patient suffered a severe haemorrhage secondary to t-Pa and had to stop the treatment. The incidence of severe side effects was low (5%)ConclusionsThrombolytic therapy with low doses of t-PA (0.01-0.05 mg/kg/h) is effective in a high percentage of children with acute arterial and/or venous thrombosis and produces a relatively low frequency of side effects.