Use of Streptokinase for intravenous thrombolysis in pulmonary embolism: Practice and results (Data from the pulmonary embolism registry of Bogodogo University Hospital Center in Burkina Faso (PER/UHC Bogodogo-BF)

Objective : The objective of this part of the registry was to evaluate the practices and results in terms of Streptokinase thrombolysis in pulmonary embolism. Methods : patients included in the pulmonary embolism registry were subdivided into those who had received streptokinase and those who had not. Chi-square and Fisher Exact tests were used in univariate analysis to determine the categorical variables associated with thrombolysis. To assess the clinical efficacy of streptokinase, vital constants at admission (t0) and 1h post-thrombolysis (t1) of thrombolyzed patients were matched and compared using the wilcoxon signed-rank test. Mean echocardiographic parameters were compared at t0 (admission) and t1 (24 hours). A p<0.05 value defined the significance threshold for judging a difference not related to chance. Results: The proportion of thrombolysed patients was 13.7%. Streptokinase was used in patients at high risk of early death. Vital clinical parameters (blood pressure, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate) were significantly improved at the end of perfusion. Right ventricular dysfunction parameters were significantly improved after Streptokinase treatment. The proportion of minor bleeding was significantly higher in the Streptokinase group (11.6% vs 6% OR=2.9). Conclusion : Streptokinase is used to treat pulmonary embolism in patients who satisfy certain severity criteria. The result is a significant improvement in clinical and echocardiographic parameters, at the cost of an increased risk of minor bleeding.