Abstract
The fibrinolytic system is activated by the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin by mediators such as tissue extract, plasma factor XII, or the exogenous activators urokinase (UK) and streptokinase (SK). The foreign protein composition of SK is responsible for the allergic response observed in some patients following administration. Clinical and investigational evidence has also shown a higher incidence of hemorrhagic complications with SK compared with UK. In general, thrombolytic therapy is a safe, effective way to resolve thrombotic obstruction in patients with such problems as acute pulmonary embolism, acute myocardial infarction, or occluded intravascular lines.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Tennant SN, Dixon J, Venable TC, Page HL, Roach A, Kaiser SB, Frederiksen R, Tacogue L, Kaplan P, Babu NS, Anderson EE, Wooten E, Jennings HS, Breinig J, Campbell WB (1984) Intracoronary thrombolysis in patients with acute myocardial infarction: Comparison of the efficacy of urokinase with streptokinase. Circulation 69:756–760
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sasahara, A.A. Fundamentals of fibrinolytic therapy. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 11 (Suppl 1), S1–S5 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02577088
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02577088