ABSTRACT
Thrombolysis first gained popularity in the 1960s when it was used systemically for
pulmonary emboli (PE). Dotter et al. advanced thrombolytic treatment in 1974 when
they introduced catheter directed thrombolysis. Extremity venous thrombosis can confer
significant morbidity and mortality, and thrombolysis has been increasingly employed in
an attempt to curb these. Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) can cause outflow obstruction
producing venous hypertension, which may result in signs and symptoms of chronic
venous disease (CVD) (1-4). Additionally, proximal DVT may result in more severe
forms of CVD such as limb-threatening venous gangrene (e.g., phlegmasia) due to
significant impairment of venous outflow (5,6). Various treatments, including antic-
oagulation, thrombolysis, surgery, and endovascular modalities are in use in attempts to
reduce acute and long-term morbidity from DVT.
