INTRAPLEURAL USE OF STREPTOKINASE
BACKGROUND Intrapleural application of streptokinase (SK) is an old and somewhat forgotten method oftreatment of complicated pleural effusions. In a selected group of cases, SK can successfullyreplace more aggressive surgical procedures. METHODS A retrospective analysis of all intrapleural SK applic...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Slovenian Medical Association
2008-04-01
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| Series: | Zdravniški Vestnik |
| Online Access: | http://vestnik.szd.si/index.php/ZdravVest/article/view/471 |
| Summary: | BACKGROUND
Intrapleural application of streptokinase (SK) is an old and somewhat forgotten method oftreatment of complicated pleural effusions. In a selected group of cases, SK can successfullyreplace more aggressive surgical procedures.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis of all intrapleural SK applications at our department between2004 and 2007 was performed.
RESULTS
14 patients met the study inclusion criteria: 7 parapneumonic effusions, 5 residual hemothoracesand 2 loculated malignant effusions.Significant increase of the drained volume with notable radiological and clinical improvementfollowed the applications of 500,000 IU of SK in all patients and 9 patients (64 %)were spared the painful thoracotomy.
CONCLUSIONS
Our data supports the evidence on high efficiency of the intrapleural fibrinolysis with SK ina selected population of complicated pleural effusions |
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| ISSN: | 1318-0347 1581-0224 |