Key result
Systemic tPA successfully reperfuses severe pulmonary thromboembolism in a cat despite suspected fatal reocclusion.
Why the study?
Pulmonary thromboembolism is life-threatening and uncommonly recognized in cats, with a dearth of knowledge regarding optimal treatment in small animals.
Case Report (n=1)
No
Thrombolysis with tPA can achieve reperfusion in feline pulmonary thromboembolism, though optimal treatment strategies remain unknown as the patient ultimately died.
tPA may enable reperfusion in feline PTE; leaves open optimal dosing and reocclusion prevention.
Pulmonary thromboembolism is a potentially life threatening condition that is uncommonly recognized in cats. Thrombolytic agents have been described as a treatment for this condition in human and canine patients, particularly in cases where hemodynamic instability is persistent despite supportive care. This report describes the clinical course, echocardiographic diagnosis, and successful thrombolysis of a cat with pulmonary thromboembolism. Despite confirmed reperfusion, the cat succumbed to thromboembolic disease highlighting the dearth of knowledge about optimal treatment of this disease process in small animals, particularly in cats.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Sutton et al. (2022) conducted a case report in Pulmonary thromboembolism (n=1). tPA (alteplase) was evaluated on Reperfusion of the occluded right pulmonary artery. Systemic administration of tPA (1 mg/kg IV) successfully achieved reperfusion of a severe pulmonary thromboembolism in a cat, although the patient later died from suspected reocclusion.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: