Hyperthermic fibrinolysis with rt-PA: in vitro results.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the influence of hyperthermia up to 45 degrees C on fibrinolysis with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA).


METHODS
Standardized fibrin clots were incubated in a water bath for 5 hr with either rt-PA (test group) or 0.9% sodium chloride (control group) and blood plasma at temperatures of 30-45 degrees C. Concentrations of D-dimer and time to complete clot lysis were measured.


RESULTS
The activity of fibrinolysis with rt-PA rose with increasing temperature: time to lysis approximately halved from 30 degrees C to 40 degrees C and the concentration of D-dimer tripled. In the control group clot size did not change.


CONCLUSIONS
Activity of rt-PA-induced fibrinolysis rises distinctly with higher temperatures. Since even healthy subjects show a physiologic decline in body temperature in the extremities, in patients with occlusive arterial disease decreased activity of fibrinolysis with rt-PA can be expected. Controlled hyperthermia may improve fibrinolysis with rt-PA and should be investigated in vivo.
Schwarzenberg
H
H
Klinik für Radiologische Diagnostik, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 9, D-24105 Kiel, Germany.
Müller-Hülsbeck
S
S
Brossman
J
J
Glüer
C C
CC
Bruhn
H D
HD
Heller
M
M
D005342:Fibrinolysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator