Acute arterial occlusions.

We believe that streptokinase is safe and effective in restoring the patency of arteries that have been acutely occluded by thrombosis or embolization. It should be used on those patients in whom the branches as well as the main conduits are occluded. It should also be used when the risks of surgery are great because of concurrent medical problems. Streptokinase should not be used after major surgery, in patients with blood dyscrasias, or when there are neurologic deficits secondary to the arterial ischemia. Streptokinase should not be considered as an antagonist to arterial surgery with the use of the Fogarty catheter but as an adjunct to the ever increasing armamentarium of the vascular surgeon.