Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2008;20(3):318-320
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2008000300016
Pulmonary thromboembolism is a major cause of morbidity and mortality of patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures. The purpose of this study was to present a case of intra-arterial pulmonary thrombolysis in recent neurosurgery postoperative period. Male patient, undergoing neurosurgery, presented as a complication on the seventh day of postoperative massive pulmonary embolism with hemodynamic instability and intraarterial pulmonary thrombolysis with alteplase was indicated. Evolution was satisfactory without bleeding complications and patient was discharged. Pulmonary thromboembolism is a high morbidity and mortality condition at neurosurgical postoperative period and thrombolysis should be an alternative therapy in cases refractory to clinical treatment.