Which condition is an indication for thrombolytic therapy with Alteplase?

Which condition is an indication for thrombolytic therapy with Alteplase?

• A. Treat acute MI
• B. Treat massive PE
• C. Prevent DVT
• D. Restore latency to central IV catheters

Answer: (A)

Alteplase is a tissue plasminogen activator that dissolves clots by converting plasminogen to plasmin, which breaks down fibrin. This makes it useful when a clot-blocked vessel needs to be opened quickly to restore blood flow. In acute myocardial infarction, a coronary artery is occluded by a thrombus, and thrombolysis aims to rapidly reopen the artery to preserve heart muscle and reduce damage. This is a classic, time-sensitive indication for systemic thrombolytic therapy when primary PCI isn’t available promptly. Preventing deep vein thrombosis is not achieved with thrombolytics; prevention relies on anticoagulants and mechanical measures. Restoring catheter patency can involve catheter-directed thrombolysis, which is a different, targeted use rather than systemic therapy for an acute MI. So the scenario that clearly fits the standard indication for systemic alteplase is treating an acute myocardial infarction.

Alteplase is a tissue plasminogen activator that dissolves clots by converting plasminogen to plasmin, which breaks down fibrin. This makes it useful when a clot-blocked vessel needs to be opened quickly to restore blood flow. In acute myocardial infarction, a coronary artery is occluded by a thrombus, and thrombolysis aims to rapidly reopen the artery to preserve heart muscle and reduce damage. This is a classic, time-sensitive indication for systemic thrombolytic therapy when primary PCI isn’t available promptly.

Preventing deep vein thrombosis is not achieved with thrombolytics; prevention relies on anticoagulants and mechanical measures. Restoring catheter patency can involve catheter-directed thrombolysis, which is a different, targeted use rather than systemic therapy for an acute MI. So the scenario that clearly fits the standard indication for systemic alteplase is treating an acute myocardial infarction.