Burst therapy. A method of administering fibrinolytic agents

The use of noninvasive studies to establish the diagnosis and to follow the clinical course of patients undergoing fibrinolytic therapy markedly reduces the amount of invasive alternatives and their attendant bleeding complications. Streptokinase administered by the burst therapy protocol is very effective. Streptokinase administered in this fashion is very cost effective and is in keeping with the current economic trends. Administering warfarin the evening before the last burst of streptokinase markedly reduces the time required to adequately anticoagulate the patient with warfarin. Administering acetaminophen before and during therapy decreases the incidence of febrile reactions. Although streptokinase therapy is not without significant complications, the benefits outweigh the attendant risks.