When is Thrombolysis for Acute Lower Limb Ischemia Worthwhile?

ObjectivesTo find variables associated with outcome following thrombolytic treatment for acute lower limb ischemia.DesignRe-analysis of a prospective multicentre study.Material and methodsOne hundred and twenty-one patients with acute lower limb ischemia previously included in a randomised study comparing high- with low-dose thrombolysis were re-analysed ignoring the mode of lytic treatment. All possibly predictive variables were subjected to multivariate analyses to find associations with outcome.ResultsPrevious successful thrombolysis, ankle–brachial index over 0.33, absence of motor dysfunction, presence of cardiac arrhythmia, and lysis of a vascular graft were all associated with successful thrombolysis (p = 0.003). Previous thrombolysis, age less than 70 years, and ankle–brachial index over 0.33 were all perfect predictors of absence of life-threatening complications or death. Successful lysis, age < 70, and lysis of a native artery as opposed to a vascular graft were all associated with clinical success (preserved patency, limb, and life) after one year (p = 0.002).ConclusionsPrevious thrombolysis, age under 70 years, and non-severe ischemia predict successful thrombolysis free from severe complications. Successful thrombolysis is strongly predictive of amputation-free survival with vascular patency for at least one year. Occluded grafts could often be reopened, but long-term outcome is better after thrombolysis of native arteries.