Thrombolytic therapy is used if the blockage in an artery is caused by a blood clot.
Thrombolytic drugs that dissolve clots are injected through a catheter to eliminate the clot and restore blood flow. Blood clots that form in the deep veins of the lower legs (known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT) can cause chronic swelling and leg pain when walking.
There is a risk that the clots will move to the lung (pulmonary embolism) or heart - a potentially life-threatening complication.
