Thrombolytic therapy for inferior vena cava thrombosis in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Two patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria had increasing abdominal girth and ascites. The Budd-Chiari syndrome or inferior vena cava thrombosis was shown by angiography. After thrombolytic therapy, both patients improved, and thrombolysis was shown by radiography. Neither patient had induction of hemolysis secondary to these agents. These studies suggest that both streptokinase and urokinase are safe and effective in the treatment of intra-abdominal venous thromboses associated with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.