Journal of Clinical Medicine Research, ISSN 1918-3003 print, 1918-3011 online, Open Access
Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, J Clin Med Res and Elmer Press Inc
Journal website http://www.jocmr.org

Original Article

Volume 8, Number 3, March 2016, pages 190-195


Tissue Plasminogen Activator Use in Cardiac Arrest Secondary to Fulminant Pulmonary Embolism

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1. Survival to discharge for the tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and control groups.
Figure 2.
Figure 2. Return of spontaneous circulation for the tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and control groups.
Figure 3.
Figure 3. Major bleeding events for the tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and control groups.

Tables

Table 1. Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of the Total Sample and by tPA Versus Control Group
 
VariableTotal sample (n = 42)tPA group (n = 19)Control group (n = 23)P value
tPA: tissue plasminogen activator.
Age, years (mean ± SD)66.5 ± 14.164.6 ± 14.868.0 ± 13.60.45
Male sex, n (%)24 (57.1)9 (47.4)15 (65.2)0.25
Prior use of anticoagulant, n (%)15 (35.7)9 (47.4)6 (26.1)0.42
Current cancer diagnosis, n (%)9 (21.4)5 (26.3)4 (17.4)0.48
Diagnostic procedure
  Echocardiogram, n (%)24 (57.1)13 (68.4)11 (47.8)0.04
  Other procedure, n (%)18 (42.9)6 (31.6)12 (52.2)0.04

 

Table 2. Summary of Case Reports on the Use of Thrombolytics During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
 
AuthorsYearPatient age and sexHistoryThrombolysis regimenComplications
rtPA: recombinant tissue plasminogen activator.
Zhu et al [6]201533-year-old femaleThrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura5 mg of rtPA by deep vein catheter and another 45 mg by constant pump infusionNo complications
Toprak et al [7]201455-year-old maleSyncopal episodes and angina on exertion2 doses of 25 mg rtPA at 5-min intervals directly into the pulmonary artery via a pigtail catheterNo complications
Hsin et al [8]201452-year-old femaleParoxysmal dyspneaUrokinase 106 U in 100 mL of normal saline infused during a 30-min intervalNon-coagulated blood causing ascites, resolved
Gupta et al [9]201452-year-old maleUnconscious at homeAlteplase at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg during a 2-min interval and a heparin dripNo complications