Fibrinolytic therapy was carried out in 59 patients suffering from a total of 60 deep venous thromboses of the iliac segment (n = 24), the femoropopliteal segment (n = 18), the deep calf veins (n = 2), or the subclavian vein (n = 16). 46 patients received streptokinase (SK), 4 were given urokinase (UK), and 10 were treated with streptokinase followed by urokinase (SK + UK). The duration of fibrinolytic therapy was between 19 and 596 hours (x = 166 +/- 111 hrs). Phlebographic examination was used to determine the location of the thrombotic occlusion as well as to evaluate therapeutic results. To assure sufficient anticoagulatory protection during therapy with streptokinase the dose of streptokinase was either reduced by steps of 20,000 U/hr to a minimum of 40,000 U/hr or heparin was added as a continuous infusion. Urokinase was administered with a mean loading dose of 75,000 IU followed by an average maintenance dose of 40,000 IU/hr; it was always given in combination with heparin. When therapeutic success was graded as complete/partial/no recanalisation, the following results were obtained: thrombotic occlusion up to 1 week old 35%/48%/17%; up to 2 weeks old 57%/14%/29%; 3 or 4 weeks old 12%/38%/50%; older than 4 weeks 13%/37%/50%. The two most common side effects were a fall of the hemoglobin and a rise of body temperature. Treatment with SK had to be interrupted for bleeding in two cases. One patient diet after rupture of the liver and of the spleen following development of subcapsular hematoma in these organs, 3 patients survived pulmonary embolism without major long-term impairment. Considering medical and social aspects (preservation of capability for working in young adults) it appears justified to administer fibrinolytic agents up to a thrombus age of 14 days, in some cases even up to a thrombus age of 28 days. Good results in cases of deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs are often obtained only when fibrinolytic therapy is extended beyond 96 hours. It should be performed in intensive care units only. Follow-up examinations of the venous drainage capacity up to 2 years after fibrinolytic therapy document the good therapeutic effect that is warrented by streptokinase or urokinase induced complete recanalisation.