Thrombolysis...

Thrombolysis is a minimally invasive treatment that dissolves abnormal blood clots in blood vessels to help improve blood flow and prevent damage to tissues and organs. (more...)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrombolysis

http://www.radiologyinfo.ca/default.aspx?page=86&lang=en-US#7

http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab002783.html

I know some of these post are pretty old but just wondering about this one. Why is this procedure not use on clots in the legs? Is it too dangerous -noe of the doctors I saw mention this.

Lwynn wrote:

I know some of these post are pretty old but just wondering about this one. Why is this procedure not use on clots in the legs? Is it too dangerous -noe of the doctors I saw mention this.

When it comes to DVT/PE 4 years is not really old. Warfarin was first used in 1950 as a blood thinner and still is used for that same purpose, ( I hate that term) it does not thin your blood, a very common misconception by many...)
Compression Socks are still the only treatment for PTS (Post Thrombotic Syndrome)

In Canada, the medical association is still not convinced that the risk taken in the procedure is warranted.
So, it is only practiced when the patient, is in dire need of the procedure.

That is what I was told (because I asked the same question) by my Hemotologist and she is part of a research team specializing in DVT. (TAT unit (Thrombosis Assessment and Treatment unit) at the Ottawa Hospital.