What is Fibrinolytic Therapy
Fibrinolytic therapy is the use of medicine to dissolve blood clots. This therapy is used to prevent serious problems caused by blood clots, such as:
- Heart attack.
- Stroke.
- Organ damage.
How does this therapy work?
Blood clots can keep blood from flowing to certain areas of the body. Fibrinolytic therapy dissolves blood clots so that blood is able to flow to any areas that the blood clot blocked.
Fibrinolytic therapy works best if it is started as soon as possible after a blood clot is found. In people diagnosed with a stroke, it should be started right away. In people with heart attack symptoms, it should be started within 30 minutes after the symptoms started.
What are the risks of this therapy?
Risks of this therapy include:
- Bleeding (hemorrhage). This is the most common risk.
- Allergic reaction.
When is this therapy recommended?
Your health care provider may recommend fibrinolytic therapy based on:
- Your symptoms.
- Your test results.
- Your medical history.
- A physical exam.
This therapy cannot be done in some cases, due to the increased risk of hemorrhage. You may not be able to have fibrinolytic therapy if:
- You have had bleeding in your brain.
- You have had a stroke within the past 3 months.
- You have internal bleeding.
- There may be a tear in your aorta (aortic dissection).
- You have had a closed head injury within the past 3 months.
- You have very high blood pressure.
- You are taking certain medicines that thin the blood.
Fibrinolytic therapy may be an option for you even if:
- You have had internal bleeding in the last 2–4 weeks.
- You are pregnant.
- You have had a heart attack within the past 3 months.
Your health care provider will carefully consider the benefits of fibrinolytic therapy as well as the risk of hemorrhage.
When should I seek immediate medical care?
Seek immediate medical care if you have started fibrinolytic therapy and you have any of the following problems:
- You vomit.
- You cough up blood.
- You have blood in your urine or bowel movements.
- Your bowel movements look similar to coffee grounds.
- Your urine looks pink.
- You have a lot of bruising on your skin.
- You have a severe headache that does not go away.
