Combined glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibition and low-dose fibrinolysis for peripheral arterial thrombosis.

This feasibility study evaluated the therapeutic potential of combined GP IIb/IIIa receptor inhibition with abciximab and low-dose fibrinolysis with reteplase for treatment of acute femoropopliteal thrombosis. The simultaneous intra-arterial administration of abciximab in conjunction with low-dose reteplase (< or = 0.5 U/hr) was safe in 13 patients; 2 patients experienced major hemorrhagic complication at a reteplase dose of 1 U/hr. The primary success rate was 100%; all patients experienced an excellent clinical response with no clinical evidence of distal embolization. No patient required repeat endovascular or surgical revascularization during mean follow-up of 9.3 months. This promising new thrombolytic strategy for the treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive disease requires further study.