Continuous tenecteplase infusion combined with peri/postprocedural platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition in peripheral arterial thrombolysis: initial safety and feasibility experience.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a continuous-infusion protocol for peripheral arterial thrombolysis using tenecteplase (TNK), with regard to the technique, dosing, infusion times, and clinical outcomes. METHODS: Between November 1999 and July 2002, 48 patients (30 men; mean age 68.5+/-11.9 years) presented with acute limb ischemia (ALI) owing to iliofemoral arterial thrombosis, which was treated with continuous TNK infusion (either 0.50 mg/h [n=22, group A] or 0.25 mg/h [n=26, group B]). All patients received periprocedural heparin (500 U/h) and peri and postprocedural tirofiban for 6 to 12 hours. Follow-up included ankle-brachial index and duplex ultrasound at baseline, 1 month, and 6 months. The variables retrospectively analyzed included total infusion time, total TNK dose, fibrinogen analysis, clinical and thrombolysis outcomes, and complications. RESULTS: The overall clinical procedural success was 95.8%. Complete (>95%) lysis was observed in 35 (73%) patients; overall mean infusion time was 7.5 hours, and overall mean TNK dose was 4.8 mg. No deaths, intracranial bleeding, or embolic events occurred in either group. Of the 8 (16.7%) complications, 5 (10.4%) were major: 1 femoral repair (group A), 2 >5-cm nonsurgical hematomas (1 in each group), and 2 gastrointestinal hemorrhages (1 in each group). The 3 (6.3%) minor complications were minor hematomas (2 in group A and 1 in group B). The 30-day and 14-month mean limb salvage rates were 95.8% (46/ 48) and 89.6% (43/48), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous TNK infusion (0.25-0.50 mg/h) is a safe and feasible treatment for continuous pharmacological thrombolysis in ALI, potentially offering decreased infusion times and bleeding complications, as well as improved outcomes.

Intraoperative innominate and common carotid intervention combined with carotid endarterectomy: a "true" endovascular surgical approach.

PURPOSE: To report the technique of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) combined with retrograde balloon angioplasty and stenting of proximal "tandem" lesions in the supra-aortic trunk. TECHNIQUE: Intraoperative techniques in 34 patients with 23 left common carotid artery (CCA) and 11 innominate artery lesions included general anesthesia, low-dose dextran, prosthetic patching, selective shunting, 8-F sheath entry into the native CCA before the CEA, manual CCA sizing, and balloon-expandable stent placement after predilation. The technique has a high procedural success rate (97%) and appears durable. Over a mean 34-month follow-up, 2 >70% ostial CCA restenoses were found at 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative innominate or left CCA balloon angioplasty/stenting combined with carotid endarterectomy is safe, effective, and durable.