Intraluminal instillation of urokinase and autologous plasma: A method to unblock occluded central venous ports

Abstract

Background: Therapeutic use and effective function of recombinant urokinase (r-UK) for occluded ports need the presence of plasminogen. Methods: As a therapeutic proof of principle, we demonstrate that the use of r-UK and autologous plasma effectively reestablishes the function of occluded central venous ports (CVP) resistant to routine management of catheter occlusion. Five patients with occluded ports resistant to the routine management were treated. Results: All patients were success fully treated with thrombolytic therapy using intraluminal instillation of r-UK and autologous plasma. Conclusion: Instillation of r-UK and autologous plasma is a safe and effective method for management of CVP occlusion. © 2006 Seifert et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.