Bolus fibrinolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarction

New bolus fibrinolytics derived from the human tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) have emerged as a means of dissolution of occlusive thrombosis associated with acute myocardial infarction.

To review the new bolus fibrinolytic drugs derived from tPA: reteplase, lanoteplase, and tenecteplase.

The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Current Contents databases were searched for articles from 1983 to 2001, using the index terms pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, plasminogen activator, reteplase, lanoteplase, and tenecteplase. Additional data sources included bibliographies of articles identified on MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Current Content, inquiry of experts and pharmaceutical companies, and preliminary data presented at recent national and international cardiology conferences.

We selected for review studies that evaluated the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of reteplase, lanoteplase, and tenecteplase, and assessed the effects of these bolus fibrinolytic drugs on the angiographic and immediate and long-term outcomes of patients. Of 138 articles identified, 38 were analyzed.

Data quality was determined by publication in the peer-reviewed literature or presentation at an official cardiology society-sponsored meeting.

Tenecteplase and reteplase are comparable with accelerated infusion recombinant tPA in terms of efficacy and safety but more convenient because they are administered by bolus injection. Lanoteplase and heparin bolus plus infusion is as effective as tPA with regard to mortality, but the rate of intracranial hemorrhage is significantly higher.

Given the ease of administration and the similar outcomes compared with accelerated infusion recombinant tPA, it is likely that a key component of contemporary reperfusion will include a bolus fibrinolytic.