Use of Thrombolysis in Acute Lower Extremity Ischemia with Known Distal Target Vessel for Revascularization

Thrombolysis is an important therapeutic tool in localizing a distal arterial target vessel in patients presenting with acute lower extremity ischemia. In some patients, however, thrombolysis fails to identify a suitable target vessel for lower extremity bypass often resulting in amputation. Pre-existing knowledge of the distal target vessel may obviate the need for thrombolytic-mediated distal arterial recanalization. We report our five year experience in managing patients with acute lower extremity ischemia with a known distal arterial target vessel without thrombolytic therapy.