Definition for Fibrinolytic therapy
From Biology Forums Dictionary
Fibrinolytic therapy involves the use of special drugs that work to break up blood clots that are blocking a major artery. These drugs are sometimes called "clot busters" by healthcare professionals. In the event of a heart attack, their use could save a life.
A heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction, often happens when blood clots or plaque build up in a major artery that feeds blood to the heart, blocking it. When blood flow to a specific area of the heart is stopped, that area will quickly start to die. This is called ischemia. An ischemic heart can sometimes cause abnormal heart rhythms, which could lead to fainting or sudden death in some cases.
The best outcome for a heart attack victim occurs if fibrinolytic therapy is administered within 12 hours or less after the onset of symptoms. The efficiency of the drugs often depends on the age of the clot, since the longer a clot is present, the more fibrin it produces. Fibrin is a protein found in blood that helps it to clot. A clot that contains a lot of fibrin is harder to dissolve.
