• Topic Overview
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Topic Overview

Thrombolytics are medicines that rapidly dissolve a blood clot. They might be used to treat deep vein thrombosis if it is causing severe symptoms.

These medicines are used in the hospital. They are given through a vein in the hand or arm. Or a doctor might use a special tube called a catheter and give the medicine directly into the blood clot.

These medicines can greatly increase the risk of bleeding, so they are used only in very specific situations where the risk of bleeding can be balanced against the risks of not dissolving the blood clot rapidly. Thrombolytics may reduce the incidence of postthrombotic syndrome in people who are at high risk for this condition.

Related Information

• Deep Vein Thrombosis

References

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