A new short infusion dosage regimen of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in patients with venous thromboembolic disease
Abstract
Although recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) has the potential to induce thrombolysis without producing a generalized coagulopathy, the dosage regimens in present use induce a plasma fibrinolytic state and are associated with bleeding. Animal experiments have demonstrated that rt-PA produces continuing thrombolysis after it is cleared from the circulation and that thrombolysis is increased and bleeding is reduced when rt-PA is administered over a short time period. To determine whether a short course regimen of rt-PA has potential in man, we gave a bolus injection of rt-PA (0.6 mg/kg) concurrently with heparin to five patients with venous thromboembolism. Three patients with angiographically proven pulmonary embolism had marked improvement of the perfusion defects when lung scans were repeated 24 h after rt-PA administration. In one of two patients with thrombosis of the deep veins of the upper extremity the venographic defect resolved completely. In three of four patients there was a mild decrease in fibrinogen and a moderate decrease in alpha 2-antiplasmin levels. There was no excessive bleeding. These results suggest that a bolus injection regimen of rt-PA has considerable potential in the treatment of thro...Continue Reading
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Blood Clotting Disorders
Thrombophilia includes conditions with increased tendency for excessive blood clotting. Blood clotting occurs when the body has insufficient amounts of specialized proteins that make blood clot and stop bleeding. Here is the latest research on blood clotting disorders.