The Successful Use of Low-Dose Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Treatment of Intracardiac/Pulmonary Thrombosis During Liver Transplantation

Intracardiac thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are uncommon complications during liver transplantation but carry a high mortality rate. We report the successful use of low-dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (0.5-4 mg) administration in 4 patients. Early diagnosis through transesophageal echocardiography and pulmonary artery catheterization may have contributed to the rapid thrombolysis. (Anesth Analg 2011;112:319-21)