Tissue plasminogen activator-mediated thrombolysis of cerebral emboli and its effect on hemorrhagic infarction in rabbits

P. D. Lyden, J. A. Zivin, W. A. Clark, K. Madden, K. C. Sasse, V. A. Mazzarella, R. D. Terry, G. A. Press

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

76 Scopus citations

Abstract

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) diesolves intravascular thrombus and restores blood flow after throm-boembolic vascular occlusion. The utility of this agent for treatment of stroke in humans may be limited by post-reperfusion hemorrhagic complications. We studied tPA-mediated thrombolyaia in an animal model of cerebro vascular occlusion in order to determine what factors, if any, predispose tPA-treated animals to suffer hemorrhage. Small blood clot emboli were injected into the internal carotid arteries of rabbits. Angiograms confirmed occlusion of the middle cerebral artery or internal carotid artery in 100% of subjects. tPA or dine was administered as a 30-minute infusion at various times after embolization. Hemorrhage rates were similar in all groups regardless of treatment. tPA increased the prothrombin time and the thrombin time but not the partial thromboplastin time. There was no correlation between these changes in blood coagulation and the finding of cerebral hemorrhage. We observed a significant aeeociation between stroke severity and cerebral hemorrhage. We conclude that tPA treatment successfully causes thrombolysis of cerebral emboli without causing an increase in the incidence of cerebral hemorrhage in rabbits.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)703-708
Number of pages6
JournalNeurology
Volume39
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1989
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology

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