Podcast # 438 : tPA for Frostbite

Author: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls:   Several studies have shown administration of tPA can improve outcomes and reduce need for amputation tPA is considered in grade III and IV frostbite tPA cannot be given until after the warming process Administration is systemically, not catheter directed or intra-arterial References: Jones LM, Coffey RA, Natwa MP, Bailey JK. The use of intravenous tPA for the treatment of severe frostbite. Burns. 2017 Aug;43(5):1088-1096. doi: 10.1016/j.burns.2017.01.013. Epub 2017 Jan 31. PubMed PMID: 28159151. Wexler A, Zavala S. The Use of Thrombolytic Therapy in the Treatment of Frostbite Injury. J Burn Care Res. 2017 Sep/Oct;38(5):e877-e881. doi: 10.1097/BCR.0000000000000512. PubMed PMID: 28296671. Summarized by Travis Barlock, MS4 | Edited by Erik Verzemnieks, MD