A systematic review of paediatric deep venous thrombolysis

Abstract

Objectives The aim was to assess the effectiveness and safety of catheter-directed thrombolysis in children with deep venous thrombosis and to evaluate its long-term effect. Method and results EMBASE, Medline and Cochrane databases were searched to identify studies in which paediatric acute deep venous thrombosis patients received thrombolysis. Following title and abstract screening, seven cohort studies with a total of 183 patients were identified. Technical success was 82% and superior in regional rather than systemic thrombolysis (p < 0.00001). One cohort study identified significant difference in thrombus resolution at one year between thrombolytic and anticoagulant groups (p = 0.01). The complication rate was low, with incidence rates of major bleeding, pulmonary embolism and others at 2.8%, 1.8% and 8.4%, respectively. The overall post-thrombotic syndrome rate was 12.7%. The incidence of re-thrombosis ranged from 12.3% to 27%. Conclusion Thrombolysis for paediatric deep venous thrombosis is an effective and relatively safe therapeutic option, lowering the incidence of post-thrombotic syndrome and deep venous thrombosis recurrence.