There is inadequate evidence to draw strong conclusions on the efficacy or safety of the drug interventions included in this review. There is some low quality evidence from a meta-analysis of two studies investigating urokinase (various strengths) and some very low evidence from two single studies investigating alteplase 2 mg/2 mL that suggest that these two drug interventions may be effective in treating withdrawal or total occlusion of CVC lumens caused by thrombosis. Further high quality, sufficiently powered research is still required to look at the efficacy and safety of urokinase, alteplase and other chemical, surgical and drug interventions for treating CVC lumen occlusion. Research studies which exclusively include child participants are especially warranted.
Urokinase versus recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in thrombosed central venous catheters: a double-blinded, randomized trial.
Fifty dysfunctional central venous catheters proven radiographically to be occluded by thrombus were blindly randomized to be injected with either 2 mg recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) or 10,000 units of urokinase (UK) and allowed to incubate for 2 h. A second dose was allowed if catheter function was not restored with the first injection. Repeat radiograph contrast injection was done when catheter function was restored or after 2 doses of study drug were administered, whichever occurred first. Thirteen of 22 catheters randomized to UK had full function restored compared to 25 of 28 randomized to t-PA (p = 0.013). Radiographic contrast injection showed 7 catheters randomized to UK had complete resolution of the thrombus compared to 17 randomized to t-PA (p = 0.042). Four catheters randomized to UK had complete resolution of the thrombus after a single dose compared to 13 randomized to t-PA (p = 0.036). A novel dose of 2 mg of t-PA restored catheter function more reliably and dissolved thrombi faster than twice the standard, FDA-approved dose of UK.