Fibrinolytic therapy of pulmonary embolism with streptokinase, urokinase and recombinant tissue type plasminogen activator

After presentation of pathophysiological arguments for fibrinolytic therapy of pulmonary embolism results put down in literature are reviewed with special consideration of the experiences made with this therapy during resuscitation and postoperatively and moreover in the presence of thrombi in the right heart. Recommendations are given concerning indication, contraindications, dosage, mode and duration of application, concomitant therapy, controls of hemostasis and therapeutic efficacy and prophylaxis and therapy of complications. Open questions are emphasized.