Clinical profile of saruplase: angiographic findings

Saruplase is a relatively new fibrinolytic drug. Dose finding studies indicated that 70-80 mg saruplase given intravenously results in a high perfusion rate. With a 20 mg bolus followed by a 60 mg infusion over 1 h, a rapid and complete restoration of blood flow can be achieved in a fairly high number of patients. This dose regimen was used in subsequent studies comparing saruplase with other thrombolytic agents. The PRIMI (Pro-urokinase In Myocardial Infarction) study compared saruplase with streptokinase. Early patency rate at 60 min (TIMI grade 2 and 3 flow) was significantly higher with saruplase (71.8%) than with streptokinase (48.0%). In the SESAM (Study in Europe with Saruplase and Alteplase in Myocardial Infarction) study comparing saruplase with alteplase, at 60 min patency rate was 79.9% versus 75.3%, respectively, and at 90 min the rate was 79.9% versus 81.4%, respectively. In the LIMITS (Liquemin in Myocardial Infarction during Thrombolysis with Saruplase) study a heparin bolus of 5000 IU was shown to have an important impact on patency rate. Both heparin and acetylsalicylic acid are recommended as adjunctive therapy before fibrinolysis with saruplase. The reocclusion rates within 24-40 h were between 0.9% and 2.4% in the saruplase studies. There is some variation in estimating whether patency rates are higher with anterior or with inferior infarctions. Saruplase appears to be equally effective in the treatment of infarction in both locations.