The effect of intraoperative local fibrinolysis after delayed catheterembolectomy (CE) of occluded arteries was examined in a model in the dogs hind limb; the superficial femoral artery was occluded by a rapid injection of an autologeous blood clot and ligation. Embolectomy was performed 24 h after occlusion with or without additional local fibrinolysis (urocinase, r-tPA). The success of revascularisation was estimated by measurement of the total periphereal resistance. There happened a total re-occlusion in all vessels within 48 h if only CE was performed; in contrast after additional fibrinolysis a complete revascularisation could be achieved.