PMID: 2116935Jun 1, 1990Paper

Splenic hemorrhage: a complication of tissue plasminogen activator treatment

The Canadian Journal of Cardiology
P K CheungT D McLarty

Abstract

Thrombolytic therapy with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for acute myocardial infarction may result in major bleeding complications such as gastrointestinal or intracranial bleeding. A case is described of severe splenic hemorrhage and rupture which developed 3 h after completion of tPA infusion for suspected acute myocardial infarction. The patient developed hypovolemic shock with abdominal pain and distension and further evidence of myocardial necrosis. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen was helpful in elucidating the diagnosis, and surgical splenectomy resulted in a good patient outcome, though the period of hypotension had increased the extent of myocardial necrosis.

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