Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2025
05:52
Prehospital Thrombolysis: A Manual from Berlin
Published on: November 26, 2013
21.9K
Tissue Plasminogen Activator in Acute Cardiac Arrest
Indira Acharya1, Scott R DeBoer2,3, Christopher J Haas2,3
1Medstar Health Internal Medicine Residency Program, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives
|March 14, 2024
Summary
Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is used for cardiac arrest but carries a risk of intracranial hemorrhage. This case highlights a rare complication in a patient receiving tPA for refractory cardiac arrest.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is an empiric therapy for refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with suspected pulmonary embolism or myocardial infarction.
- Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a rare but serious complication of tPA administration, associated with increased morbidity and mortality.
- Risk factors for tPA-associated ICH include prior intracranial bleeding, anticoagulant use, low body weight, and severe hypertension.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Clot Retraction and Fibrinolysis
5.8K
After a fibrin clot is formed, the next step is clot retraction, a vital process facilitated by platelet contractile proteins, such as actin and myosin. These proteins pull the fibrin strands closer together and condense the clot. This action reduces the size of the clot, creating a smaller, denser structure that effectively seals off the damaged vessel. Clot retraction consolidates the clot and helps with wound healing by bringing the edges of the damaged blood vessel closer together.
5.8K
01:22Formation of the Platelet Plug
6.1K
The platelet phase, the second stage of hemostasis, commences around 15-20 seconds after an injury. It follows and overlaps with the vascular phase, during which blood vessels constrict to minimize blood loss.
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
6.1K
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
145
Cardiac biomarkers are enzymes, proteins, and hormones released into the blood when cardiac cells are injured. They are powerful tools for triaging.
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
145
01:16Vascular Spasm
1.4K
The vascular phase, also known as vasospasm, is the initial stage of hemostasis, crucial for preventing excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. After a vessel is cut, nerves in the damaged area trigger pain and other sensory impulses. Simultaneously, the smooth muscles in the vessel wall contract, resulting in a vascular spasm. This contraction reduces the vessel's diameter at the injury site, slowing or stopping blood loss through the vessel wall. Vascular spasms typically last...
1.4K
01:05Introduction to Hemostasis
7.6K
Hemostasis is a complex physiological process that prevents excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. It's crucial for maintaining the integrity of the circulatory system, as it ensures that our blood remains fluid while still within the vascular network and yet clots to prevent blood loss upon vessel injury.
The three phases of hemostasis involve many clotting factors present in plasma and several substances released by platelets and injured tissue cells. It is a fast, localized,...
The three phases of hemostasis involve many clotting factors present in plasma and several substances released by platelets and injured tissue cells. It is a fast, localized,...
7.6K