[Studies on the prevention of postoperative thrombosis with a small dose of recombinant human tissue-type plasminogen...

In order to prevent the thrombosis on foreign materials after the cardiovascular operation, the effect of a small dose of recombinant human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) on the prosthetic material was examined. A polyvinyl-chloride tube was inserted into the left atrium of 12 rabbits. In six animals (group I), t-PA of 2.6 mg was injected into the right atrium, and no drug was used in other six animals (group II) as the control. Polyvinyl-chloride tube was removed from each animal 24 hours after implantation. In the medicated group, no thrombus was found in the tube, however, heavy thrombus formation was recognized around the tube in the control group. No clotting abnormality was shown in the medicated group. The results of this study demonstrate that t-PA will have a remarkable benefit in the prevention of thrombosis on the foreign substance in the cardiovascular system.