Advances in the research of transcatheter arterial thrombolysis for severe frostbite therapy

Severe frostbite (grade Ⅲ to Ⅳ) is a common disease accompanied with high disability rate in cold regions, especially for military training and disaster events in cold regions. The treatment of severe frostbite mainly includes rapid rewarming in the early stage and amputation in the later stage; while the damage of vascular endothelial cells, microvascular thrombosis, and decreased tissue perfusion secondary to severe frostbite are important factors affecting prognosis. Transcatheter arterial thrombolysis is a new technique for the treatment of severe frostbite. It has the advantages of minimally invasive, high safety, and significantly reduced amputation rate. We reviewed the advances in the research of transcatheter arterial thrombolysis for the treatment of severe frostbite.