Recombinant t-PA and platelet activity.
Platelet-rich coronary arterial occlusions are relatively resistant to thrombolysis with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator, or rt-PA, while erythrocyte-rich thrombi are lysed at low doses. The combined administration of rt-PA with a platelet antagonist enhances thrombolysis and can prevent reocclusion, which suggests that platelet activation predominates during thrombus formation and after thrombolysis. In addition to direct effects on platelet activity, rt-PA also acts indirectly through generation of plasmin, which degrades fibrin.
Becker
R C
RC
Division of Cardiology, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester.
D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator