Thrombolytic therapy

Thrombolytic (or fibrinolytic) treatment breaks up and dissolves thrombi

It is administered intravenously. Its use is associated to a three-fold higher risk of serious bleeding than that of anticoagulants.

This is why, it is only used in patients with a severe pulmonary embolism, at risk of imminent death, and sometimes also in very specific DVT cases.

Thrombolytic treatment is administered intravenously in a single injection or as a slow infusion for a few hours, thereafter, treatment continues with anticoagulants.