Peripheral Thrombolysis

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.

• Care notes
• Ambulatory
• Discharge
• Español

Peripheral thrombolysis is a procedure to break up or dissolve a blood clot in your arm or leg. The clot may be removed with a device during the procedure. You may need thrombolysis to remove a clot quickly so it does not break free. You may need the procedure to remove a blood clot from deep veins, called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). A DVT usually happens in a leg, but it can also happen in an arm. A DVT can also break free. A clot that breaks off in your arm or leg may travel to your lungs. This can be life-threatening.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) or have someone call if:

• You feel lightheaded, short of breath, and have chest pain.
• You cough up blood.

Seek care immediately if:

• Your arm or leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
• The procedure area does not stop bleeding even after you apply firm pressure for 10 minutes.
• The leg or arm used for your procedure is numb, painful, or changes color.
• The bruise at your catheter area gets bigger or becomes swollen.
• You have purple spots or blisters on your skin.

Call your doctor or hematologist if:

• You have a fever.
• You have a new skin rash and itching.
• You feel weak, lightheaded, or faint.
• You have new swelling around your eyes.
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Medicines:

You may need any of the following:

• Antiplatelets , such as aspirin, help prevent blood clots. Take your antiplatelet medicine exactly as directed. These medicines make it more likely for you to bleed or bruise. If you are told to take aspirin, do not take acetaminophen or ibuprofen instead.
• Blood thinners help prevent blood clots. Clots can cause strokes, heart attacks, and death. Many types of blood thinners are available. Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions for the type you are given. The following are general safety guidelines to follow while you are taking a blood thinner:
  • Watch for bleeding and bruising. Watch for bleeding from your gums or nose. Watch for blood in your urine and bowel movements. Use a soft washcloth on your skin, and a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth. This can keep your skin and gums from bleeding. If you shave, use an electric shaver. Do not play contact sports.
  • Tell your dentist and other healthcare providers that you take a blood thinner. Wear a bracelet or necklace that says you take this medicine.
  • Do not start or stop any other medicines or supplements unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Many medicines and supplements cannot be used with blood thinners.
  • Take your blood thinner exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not skip a dose or take less than prescribed. Tell your provider right away if you forget to take your blood thinner, or if you take too much.
• Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Care for the procedure area as directed:

• Keep the procedure area clean and dry. Your healthcare provider will tell you when you can bathe. You will need to keep the bandage in place and dry for a day or two after your procedure. Cover the bandage with a plastic bag and tape the opening around your skin to keep water out.
• Wash the area with soap and water when it is okay to bathe without a bandage.
• Check the area each day for signs of infection. Examples include redness, swelling, and pus. Dry the area and put on new, clean bandages as directed. Change your bandage if it gets wet or dirty.

Watch for bleeding and bruising:

It is normal to have a bruise and soreness where the catheter went in. Contact your healthcare provider if your bruise gets larger. If the procedure area bleeds, use your hand to put pressure on the bandage. If you do not have a bandage, use a clean cloth to put pressure over and just above the area. Seek care immediately if the bleeding does not stop within 10 minutes.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Wear a compression device as directed:

Examples include pressure stockings, intermittent pneumatic compression, and sequential compression devices. A compression device puts pressure on your lower legs to help keep blood from pooling in your leg veins. Your healthcare provider can prescribe the right device for you. Do not buy over-the-counter devices unless your provider says it is okay. They may not fit correctly or may have elastic that cuts off your circulation. Ask your provider when to start wearing a compression device and how long to wear it.

Keep your leg or arm elevated as directed:

Keep the leg or arm that had the blood clot above the level of your heart when you are sitting. Prop the arm or leg on pillows to keep it elevated comfortably. Ask how long to keep your leg elevated each day. You will need to balance elevation with movement to prevent blood clots.

Stay active to prevent another blood clot:

Your healthcare provider will tell you when it is safe to drive and start doing your other normal daily activities. An active lifestyle can help prevent blood clots. Try to get at least 30 minutes of activity on most days of the week. If you sit most of the day for work, stand or walk around every half hour. After an injury or illness, try to become active again as soon as possible. Activity can also help you manage your weight. Too much body weight can put pressure on your leg veins and cause blood to pool. This increases your risk for another blood clot.

Manage other health conditions:

Follow your healthcare provider's directions to manage health conditions that can cause a blood clot. Examples are high cholesterol and diabetes.

Drink liquids as directed:

Liquids will help flush out the contrast material used during your procedure. Liquid can also help prevent blood clots. Ask your healthcare provider how much liquid to drink each day and which liquids are best for you.

Do not smoke:

Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes and cigars can cause blood vessel and lung damage. Ask your healthcare provider for information if you currently smoke and need help to quit. E-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco still contain nicotine. Talk to your healthcare provider before you use these products.

Limit alcohol:

Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours after your procedure. Then limit alcohol to 1 drink a day if you are female or 2 drinks a day if you are male. A drink is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1½ ounces of liquor.

Follow up with your doctor or hematologist as directed:

You may need to be checked for blood clots for up to 3 years after treatment. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

© Copyright Merative 2025 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer