Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of thrombolytic therapy with urokinase and/or anticoagulant with low molecular weight heparin in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.
Methods: 127 patients with documented acute pulmonary embolism were treated with different regimens: thrombolysis combined with anticoagulant therapy in 70 cases, thrombolytic therapy alone in 31 cases and pure anticoagulant therapy in 26 cases.
Results: Dyspnea was the most common symptom (91.3%), then cough (74.0%), chest pain (63.0%) and syncope (21.3%). As compared with pre-treatment in each group, there was significant improvement in respiratory rate, heart rate, partial pressure of oxygen in artery and partial pressure of carbon dioxide in artery. The effective rate of thrombolysis combined with anticoagulant therapy, thrombolytic therapy and anticoagulant therapy were 90.0%, 77.4% and 61.5%, respectively, the total effective rate of thrombolytic therapy was 86.1%. The best efficacy was demonstrated in patients within one week after onset of symptoms. The therapy might be effective for cases with duration longer than two weeks after the onset of symptoms.
Conclusion: Thrombolytic therapy with urokinase combined with low molecular weight heparin is effective and safe for acute pulmonary embolism.