title: Streptokinase and reduced plasma viscosity: a second benefit.
abstract: The purpose of this pilot study on a small cohort of patients (n = 13) with acute myocardial infarction receiving systemic streptokinase (STK) thrombolytic therapy was to measure the decrease in plasma viscosity concomitant with fibrinogen depletion. The treatment group was compared with a similar control group not given thrombolytic therapy. Serial relevant blood studies were undertaken in both groups for a period of 6 d. In the treatment group, a maximum reduction in plasma viscosity of 17 +/- 9% (mean +/- S.D.) was achieved during the first 24 h. Plasma viscosity remained below baseline for the 6-d duration of the study. Conversely, in the control group, the plasma viscosity rose to a maximum of 19 +/- 14% (mean +/- S.D.) over the period of study, paralleling the rise in plasma fibrinogen as an acute-phase reactant. Correlation studies between viscosity and plasma fibrinogen were strongly positive with mean values of r of 0.74 and 0.66 in the STK-treated group and controls, respectively. We conclude that the benefit of systemic STK treatment may in part be due to reduced myocardial workload and oxygen consumption at a critical time, and improved microvascular circulation, consequent on reduced plasma viscosity.
authors.affiliation: Craigavon Area Hospital, Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Moriarty
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Balnave
mesh_terms: D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001809:Blood Viscosity; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000032:analysis; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D008833:Microcirculation; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010958:Plasminogen / Q000032:analysis; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D013300:Streptokinase / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; D005340:Fibrinogen; D010958:Plasminogen; D013300:Streptokinase