Clinical application of thrombolysis via the foot dorsal vein to treat isolated calf muscle vein thrombosis

ObjectiveTo investigate the safe and effects of thrombolysis via the foot dorsal vein to treat isolated calf muscle vein thrombosis (ICMVT). MethodsA total of 43 patients who were admitted into our hospital from January 2012 to December 2015 due to ICMVT were enrolled into the current study. They were randomly divided into two groups. Group A were injected with urokinase via the foot dorsal vein, in addition to anticoagulation therapy (n=23). Group B was provided with anticoagulant therapy alone (n=20). Then, the symptoms after treatment, ultrasound data and complications were assessed. ResultsAccording to Color Doppler ultrasound, vein thrombolysis between the muscles completely disappeared in 21 patients, partially disappeared in 13 patients, but did not change in 9 patients. For Group A, vein thrombolysis between the muscles completely disappeared in 17 patients, partially disappeared in 4 patients but did not change in 2 patients, with a thrombus removal rate of 91.3%. For Group B, vein thrombolysis between the muscles completely disappeared in 4 patients, partially disappeared in 9 patients but did not change in 7 patients, with a thrombus removal rate of 65.0% (χ2=6.637, P＜0.05). No complication was reported in both Groups A and B. ConclusionsInjection of urokinase via the foot dorsal vein can be adopted to treat ICMVT, which obviously improve the rate of thrombus removal, prevent pulmonary embolism and thrombosis, and can be applied in clinical setting.