Thrombolytic

Thrombolytic therapy is a treatment used in medicine to dissolve blood clots, which can cause serious conditions such as stroke and heart attack. Thrombolytic drugs, also known as clot busters, are administered to patients to break up clots.

Mechanism of action

Thrombolytic drugs work by activating the fibrinolytic system. This system is responsible for breaking down clots in the blood vessels. The drugs activate an enzyme called plasminogen, which is converted into another enzyme called plasmin. Plasmin then breaks down the fibrin in blood clots, effectively dissolving them.

Uses

Thrombolytic therapy is used to treat a variety of conditions caused by blood clots. These include:

• Myocardial infarction: Also known as a heart attack, this condition occurs when a blood clot blocks a coronary artery, preventing blood from reaching the heart muscle.
• Ischemic stroke: This type of stroke is caused by a blood clot blocking blood flow to the brain.
• Pulmonary embolism: This condition occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs, blocking a pulmonary artery.

Risks

While thrombolytic therapy can be life-saving, it also carries risks. The most significant risk is bleeding, including intracranial hemorrhage, a potentially life-threatening condition where bleeding occurs inside the skull.

See also

• Anticoagulant
• Antiplatelet drug
• Fibrinolysis

References

Thrombolytic Resources
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