Study of Alfimeprase to Rapidly Dissolve Blood Clots in the Leg and Help Prevent the Need for Surgery on Leg Arteries

There is an unmet medical need to improve thrombolytic therapy in acute peripheral arterial occlusion (PAO). Currently used plasminogen activators can result in increased circulating levels of plasmin that result in a systemic "lytic state" that does not distinguish between physiologic and pathologic thrombosis. In general, mean plasminogen activator infusion durations of greater than 24 hours in order to achieve successful thrombolysis are problematic in a disease where delayed restoration of arterial flow can lead to irreversible ischemic damage. A direct thrombolytic agent like alfimeprase, with a rapid mechanism of action and a potentially safer bleeding risk profile, could facilitate a rapid restoration of arterial flow and avoidance of open vascular surgery.

Inclusion criteria

• Must give written informed consent
• Ages 18 or older
• Acute PAO of a lower extremity with onset of symptoms within 14 days prior to randomization
• Acute index limb ischemia classified as SVS/ISCVS Class I or IIA caused by occlusion of a native artery and/or bypass graft (vein or prosthetic)
• Need for open vascular surgical intervention in the event of unsuccessful thrombolysis
• Available for follow-up assessments

Exclusion criteria

• Contraindication to systemic anticoagulation
• History of endovascular procedure or open vascular surgery on the index limb within the last 30 days
• History of significant acute or chronic kidney disease that would preclude contrast angiography
• Known allergy to contrast agents
• History of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)
• Participation in any study of an investigational device, medication, biologic, or other agent within 30 days prior to randomization
• Any thrombolytic therapy within 30 days prior to randomization
• Past participation in any alfimeprase clinical trial
• History of hypersensitivity to aspirin
• Pregnant, lactating, or actively menstruating women and women of child-bearing potential who are not using adequate contraceptive precautions (e.g. intrauterine device, oral contraceptives, barrier methods, or other contraception deemed adequate by the investigator)
• Uncontrolled hypertension: systolic blood pressure (BP) > 180 mmHg, or diastolic BP > 110 mmHg at the time of baseline assessment
• Hematocrit < 30%; subjects with a low hematocrit who are not actively bleeding can be entered into this study if after transfusion their hematocrit is >= 30%
• Platelet count <100 X 10(9)/L on baseline labs
• Investigator inability to advance guidewire through index occlusion
• Medically unable to withstand an open vascular surgical procedure
• Any other feature that, in the opinion of the investigator, should preclude study participation