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Updated: Jun 19, 2025

An In vitro System to Gauge the Thrombolytic Efficacy of Histotripsy and a Lytic Drug
Published on: June 4, 2021
Comparative Analysis of Therapeutic Efficacy and Adverse Reactions among Various Thrombolytic Agents
Chenxi Xie1, Naying Zheng2, Mingmei Li1
1Chest Pain Center, Anxi County Hospital, Quanzhou 362300, China.
Insights
Recombinant Human TNK Tissue-type Plasminogen Activator for Injection (rhTNK) is the most effective thrombolytic drug for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). It demonstrates superior efficacy with fewer adverse effects and lower bleeding rates compared to older agents.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Thrombosis is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease and mortality.
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is optimal for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but not always feasible in remote areas.
- Thrombolytic therapy is crucial for AMI management in resource-limited settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of first-generation (Urokinase), second-generation (Alteplase), and third-generation (rhTNK) thrombolytic drugs for AMI.
- To identify the most effective and safest thrombolytic agent for AMI treatment, particularly in remote settings.
Main Methods:
- In vitro thrombolysis experiments.
- Assessment of cardiomyocyte toxicity.
- In vivo studies using zebrafish models (tail vein injection and vascular endothelial transgenic models).
Main Results:
- The order of thrombolytic effectiveness was Urokinase < Alteplase < rhTNK.
- Adverse effects on cardiomyocytes and bleeding rates followed the order: Urokinase < Alteplase < rhTNK.
- Recombinant Human TNK Tissue-type Plasminogen Activator for Injection (rhTNK) exhibited the highest efficacy with the lowest bleeding rate and minimal adverse effects.
Conclusions:
- rhTNK is the most effective thrombolytic drug for AMI, offering a superior safety profile.
- rhTNK presents a promising alternative for AMI treatment, especially where PCI is inaccessible.
- The study supports rhTNK as a preferred therapeutic option for managing AMI.
Abstract:
Thrombosis is a major health concern that contributes to the development of several cardiovascular diseases and a significant number of fatalities worldwide. While stent surgery is the current recommended treatment according to the guidelines, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the optimal approach for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, in remote areas with limited resources, PCI procedures may not be feasible, leading to a delay in treatment and irreversible outcomes. In such cases, preoperative thrombolysis becomes the primary choice for managing AMI in remote settings. The market for thrombolytic drugs is continuously evolving, and identifying a safe and effective thrombolytic agent for treating AMI is crucial. This study evaluated Urokinase, Alteplase, and Recombinant Human TNK Tissue-type Plasminogen Activator for Injection (rhTNK) as representatives of first-, second-, and third-generation thrombolytic drugs, respectively. The research included in vitro thrombolysis experiments, exposure of human cardiomyocytes, zebrafish tail vein injections, and vascular endothelial transgenic zebrafish models. The findings revealed that rhTNK is the most effective thrombolytic drug with the least adverse effects and lowest bleeding rate, highlighting its potential as the preferred treatment option for AMI. The order of thrombolytic effectiveness was Urokinase < Alteplase < rhTNK, with adverse effects on cardiomyocytes post-thrombolytic therapy ranking similarly as Urokinase < Alteplase < rhTNK, while the bleeding rate after thrombolysis followed the order of Urokinase > Alteplase > rhTNK.
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