Thrombolytic drug
|
WikiDoc Resources for Thrombolytic drug |
|
Articles |
|---|
|
Most recent articles on Thrombolytic drug Most cited articles on Thrombolytic drug |
|
Media |
|
Powerpoint slides on Thrombolytic drug |
|
Evidence Based Medicine |
|
Cochrane Collaboration on Thrombolytic drug |
|
Clinical Trials |
|
Ongoing Trials on Thrombolytic drug at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Thrombolytic drug Clinical Trials on Thrombolytic drug at Google
|
|
Guidelines / Policies / Govt |
|
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Thrombolytic drug NICE Guidance on Thrombolytic drug
|
|
Books |
|
News |
|
Commentary |
|
Definitions |
|
Patient Resources / Community |
|
Patient resources on Thrombolytic drug Discussion groups on Thrombolytic drug Patient Handouts on Thrombolytic drug Directions to Hospitals Treating Thrombolytic drug Risk calculators and risk factors for Thrombolytic drug
|
|
Healthcare Provider Resources |
|
Causes & Risk Factors for Thrombolytic drug |
|
Continuing Medical Education (CME) |
|
International |
|
|
|
Business |
|
Experimental / Informatics |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Thrombolytic drugs are used in medicine to dissolve blood clots in a procedure termed thrombolysis. They limit the damage caused by the blockage of the blood vessel.
Uses
Thrombolysis is used in for myocardial infarction (heart attack), ischemic strokes, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism to clear a blocked artery and avoid permanent damage to the perfused tissue (e.g. myocardium, brain, leg) and death. A less frequent use is to clear blocked catheters that are used in long-term medical therapy.
It should be noted that thrombolytic therapy in hemorrhagic strokes is contraindicated, as its use in that situation would prolong bleeding into the intracranial space and cause further damage.
Members
The thrombolytic drugs include:
- t-PA (alteplase Activase)
- reteplase (Retavase)
- tenecteplase (TNKase)
- anistreplase (Eminase)
- streptokinase (Kabikinase, Streptase)
- urokinase (Abbokinase)
These drugs are most effective if administered immediately after it has been determined they are clinically appropriate. The advantage of administration is highest within the first ninety minutes, but may extend up to six hours after the start of symptoms.
The drugs are often given in combination with intravenous heparin, or low molecular weight heparin, which are anticoagulant drugs.
Side-effects
Hemorrhagic stroke is a rare but serious complication of thrombolytic therapy. If a patient has had thrombolysis before, an allergy against the thrombolytic drug may have developed (especially after streptokinase). If the symptoms are mild, the infusion is stopped and the patient is commenced on an antihistamine before infusion is recommenced. Anaphylaxis generally requires immediate cessation of thrombolysis.