Health Information
Thrombolytics for Deep Vein Thrombosis
Topic Overview
Thrombolytics are medicines that rapidly dissolve a blood clot. They might be used to treat Reference deep vein thrombosis Opens New Window if it is causing severe symptoms.
These medicines are used in the hospital. They are given through a vein in the hand or arm. Or a doctor might use a special tube called a catheter and give the medicine directly into the blood clot.
These medicines can greatly increase the risk of bleeding, so they are used only in very specific situations where the risk of bleeding can be balanced against the risks of not dissolving the blood clot rapidly. Thrombolytics may reduce the incidence of Reference post-thrombotic syndrome Opens New Window in people who are at high risk for this condition.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference May 8, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Jeffrey S. Ginsberg, MD - Hematology |
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