tissue plasminogen activator
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A thrombolytic agent that causes fibrinolysis at the site of a blood clot: "Tissue plasminogen activator" is a naturally occurring enzyme or a manufactured drug that dissolves blood clots by converting plasminogen to plasmin. It is used as a treatment in certain medical emergencies.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The standard treatment for a major stroke at this hospital is the immediate administration of tissue plasminogen activator.
- Tissue plasminogen activator works by breaking down the fibrin matrix that holds a clot together.
Advanced Usage
- "tPA": A common abbreviation for "tissue plasminogen activator" used in medical contexts.
- The patient was a candidate for tPA therapy within the critical time window.
Variants and Related Words
- Alteplase (n): The generic pharmaceutical name for a recombinant form of tissue plasminogen activator.
- Alteplase is a commonly used tissue plasminogen activator in clinical practice.
- Thrombolytic (n/adj): A substance used to dissolve blood clots; relating to the dissolution of blood clots.
- Tissue plasminogen activator is a potent thrombolytic agent.
Synonyms
- Clot-busting drug: An informal term for a thrombolytic agent like tissue plasminogen activator.
- Fibrinolytic agent: A more technical synonym emphasizing the action of breaking down fibrin.
Related Terms and Context
- Acute myocardial infarction: A heart attack; a primary condition for which tissue plasminogen activator is used.
- Rapid restoration of blood flow with tissue plasminogen activator can limit damage during an acute myocardial infarction.
- Ischemic stroke: A type of stroke caused by a blood clot, for which tissue plasminogen activator is a key treatment.
- The use of tissue plasminogen activator has revolutionized the treatment of acute ischemic stroke.
Noun
- a thrombolytic agent (trade name Activase) that causes fibrinolysis at the site of a blood clot; used in treating acute myocardial infarction