title: Approach to the patient with venous thromboembolism. Treatment with thrombolytic agents.
abstract: This article reviews the different thrombolytic agents currently available and the different mechanisms by which they activate the body's fibrinolytic system. The discussion is confined to the approach to the patient with venous thromboembolism using the different thrombolytic agents. Data are presented supporting the use of thrombolytic therapy and its long-term benefits, especially in patients with pulmonary embolism. A substantial portion of this article is devoted to practical considerations involved in the administration of thrombolytic therapy.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Products Division, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Illinois.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Sasahara
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: St Martin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Henkin
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Barker
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010958:Plasminogen / Q000737:chemistry; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010958:Plasminogen; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator