Outcomes of Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis in Patients with Acute Arterial Thrombotic Limb Ischemia: A Prospective Interventional Case Series

Introduction: Acute limb ischemia is a critical medical condition that can quickly become a life threat. Therapeutic modalities such as catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) have demonstrated various levels of efficacy in previous studies. Objective: This study presents the descriptive findings of a series of cases who presented with acute arterial thrombotic limb ischemia and underwent CDT. Methods: This was a cross-sectional single-hospital-based case series, in which all patients who were diagnosed with acute arterial thrombotic limb ischemia, and consequently underwent CDT during the one-year study period were included.  Detailed baseline characteristics and clinical findings of the studied patients on presentation, after intervention and at one-year follow-up are presented. Results: A total of 21 patients with a mean age of 60.7±15.2 years, including 16 males (76.2%) were included. The initial technical and treatment success rates were 20 (95.2%) and 14 (66.7%), respectively. The amputation-free and the overall survival rates after the one-year follow-up were 15 (71.4%) and 17 (81%), respectively. Four patients (19%) developed complications, two (9.5%) of which were significant (pulmonary hemorrhage and intraventricular hemorrhage). Amputation was performed in 6 (28.6%) cases. Conclusion: In this study, the treatment success rate and the technical success rate were satisfactory.