Laboratory monitoring of thrombolytic therapy

The concept and strategy of thrombolytic therapy are absolutely correct. The obstructing intraluminal thrombus is in urgent need of resolution to permit reestablishment of blood flow. As investigative efforts in this area continue, more effective and more rapidly acting thrombolytic agents will be forthcoming. The thrombolytic agents available today are excellent and can definitely be used safely. However, a modicum of common sense must be employed in initiating their use. There must be frequent contact with the patient receiving such important and needed therapy. It is foolish for those individuals either not familiar with or not educated to utilize thrombolytic agents to make broad sweeping statements that such agents, whose efficacy has been demonstrated, should not be employed in the treatment of thrombosis. Such an attitude is an example of how not to proceed to further improvement in health care. To be content to remain in the past will never permit entrance into the future.