Thrombolysis: Newer thrombolytic agents and their role in clinical medicine

Abstract

Reperfusion treatment in acute myocardial infarction represents the main indication for thrombolytic therapy. The most common thrombolytic agents have been streptokinase (first generation thrombolytic agent) and alteplase (tissue type plasminogen activator, t-PA, second generation thrombolytic agent). In the meantime third generation thrombolytic agents have reached clinical practice. Many of them are derivatives of alteplase, the current gold standard for thombolytic therapy in acute coronary syndromes with ST segment elevation. The most prominent among them are reteplase, tenecteplase, and lanoteplase.