There were no serious complications or bleeding during the treatment, and no cases of post-thrombotic syndrome or recurrent clotting during follow-up of 3.4 years.

"With this therapy, pain and swelling resolve rapidly, and, in most cases, the patient is able to resume all normal activity within a week," said the study's co-author, McDonald K. Horne III, M.D., from the hematology section of the Department of Lab Medicine, Clinical Center, NIH.


The authors caution that larger clinical trials are required to further support the efficacy of this promising treatment.

# # #

Journal attribution required.

Radiology is a monthly scientific journal devoted to clinical radiology and allied sciences. The journal is edited by Herbert Y. Kressel, M.D., Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass. Radiology is owned and published by the Radiological Society of North America, Inc. (RSNA.org/radiologyjnl)

The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) is an association of more than 40,000 radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists committed to promoting excellence in radiology through education and by fostering research, with the ultimate goal of improving patient care. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Ill. (RSNA.org)

"Deep Vein Thrombosis of the Lower Extremity: Direct Intraclot Injection of Alteplase Once Daily with Systemic Anticoagulation-Results of a Pilot Study." Collaborating with Drs. Chang and Horne were Clara C. Chen, M.D., Anthony Kam, M.D., Ph.D., Edie Mao, M.B., and Thomas H. Shawker, M.D.

This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

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