Tissue Plasminogen Activator

[Name of the Institute]

Tissue Plasminogen Activator

Introduction

Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) is a naturally occurring fibrinolytic protein found on the surface of endothelial cells (i.e., the cells that line the inside of blood vessels), and is involved in the balance between thrombolysis (i.e., the breakdown of blood clots) and thrombogenesis (i.e., the formation of blood clots). In clinical medicine, recombinant t-PA (r-tPA; i.e., alteplase [Activase]) is used as a thrombolytic agent to dissolve thrombi (i.e., blood clots) and restore blood flow to blocked vessels in several situations, including heart attack, stroke, and pulmonary embolism (PE) (Surhone, Timpledon, Marseken, 2010).

TPA is manufactured in powdered form, reconstituted with sterile water, and administered intravenously (I.V.) under strict protocol and using sterile technique. The typical total t-PA dose for the treatment of PE is 100 mg administered over 2 hours. t-PA for PE is administered in acute care hospitals. t-PA administration is often initiated in the emergency department (ED) and is completed in the intensive care unit (ICU). t-PA is ordered by a physician and is typically administered by a registered nurse with special training in t-PA titration, care of patients with PE, and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) protocols. Depending upon the patient's preference, family members and visitors may remain with the patient during t-PA infusion.

Properties

Is a recombinant human plasminogen activator (rt-PA) obtained by genetic engineering and is chemically identical to the endogenous human glycoprotein and is therefore devoid of antigenic activity. Alteplase is not absorbed after oral administration and that is why the route of application is by intravenous infusion, has a short half-life (t) (4-5 minutes) and a beta half-life (tb) of 40 minutes. Its main organ of elimination is the liver through a process of proteolysis nonsaturable, remembering that rt-PA is a fibrinolytic glycoprotein. Its fibrinolytic activity is immediately after bolus ...