Catheter-directed thrombolysis for lower limb ischaemia: A retrospective study of treatment outcomes.

Introduction: Lower limb ischaemia secondary to occlusion of a lower limb artery is a limb-threatening condition that can be effectively treated by catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT). The purpose of this study was to examine treatment outcomes of CDT both at the time of treatment and ongoing patency up to 12 months following treatment. The secondary aim of the study was to investigate the influence of age of occlusion and treatment duration on success and complication rates.

Role of a quantitative D-dimer assay in determining the need for CT angiography of acute pulmonary embolism.

Objective: Our goal was to use the results of a quantitative D-dimer assay to determine the need for pulmonary CT angiography in patients suspected of having acute pulmonary embolism.

Materials And Methods: From July 2001 to December 2002, 755 patients underwent pulmonary CT angiography for the evaluation of acute pulmonary embolism. A rapid, fully automated quantitative D-dimer assay was obtained in more than half the patients.