Thrombolytic (Fibrinolytic) Drugs:

Also called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)  is given by IV

This medications helps break existing clots and can restore blood flow to the brain, heart, and lungs.

It is often used early in treatment of a stroke

It can also help with people who are experiencing a heart attack or a pulmonary embolism due to a blood clot.

Method of Action

  -   Enhances the breakdown of clots  [fibrinolysis]

  -   Causes a conversion of plasminogen to plasmin

  -   Therefore this medication causes an over excited response

 Should not be given to those who:

  -  a  current aneurysm

  -  a current brain tumor

  -  have had recent surgery

  -  have a predisposition to bleeding

  -  had a seizure when the stroke began

  -  a current hemmorrhagic stroke

 Typically prior to administraion of tPA a CT is done to ensure no current bleeding in the brain.

***Needs to be given within the first 3 hours of starting the ischemic stroke.   After 3 hours the damage done to the brain is difficult to reverse.

When this medication is given after 3 hours there has been no shown effective improvement.