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Objective:To describe our outcomes using thrombolysis during the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of patients in cardiorespiratory arrest (CA) caused by fulminant pulmonary embolism (FPE). Design:A case series. Setting:Intensive care units of a district hospital and a referral centre. Patients:Six patients that suffered CA secondary to an FPE. Interventions:Administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator during usual CPR manoeuvres when there was a strong suspicion of FPE. Permission for the thrombolytic therapy was sought from family members in all cases. Results:Four out of the six patients survived and remain symptom-free. The thrombolysis was not associated with any fatal complications. Conclusions:Early thrombolysis during CPR manoeuvres for CA apparently caused by an FPE may reduce the mortality rate among these patients.