Journal of vascular and interventional radiology : JVIR
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J Vasc Interv Radiol · Jan 2004
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialAlteplase for treatment of occluded peripherally inserted central catheters: safety and efficacy in 240 patients.
Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) have dramatically improved intravenous therapy, but thrombotic occlusion remains a common problem. Despite the popularity of PICCs, there are few prospective data on the use of fibrinolytic agents to salvage these particular devices. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of alteplase treatment. ⋯ Treatment with use of a maximum of two doses of alteplase is safe and effective in restoring function to occluded PICCs.