Coagulation and Fibrinolysis Study after Local Thrombolysis of a Cerebral Artery with Urokinase

Abstract

Coagulation and fibrinolysis factors were studied in six patients after local thrombolysis with urokinase (720, 000 IU). Transient abnormalities, such as prolonged prothrombin time, decreased plasminogen and α₂-antiplasmin activities, decreased fibrinogen, and increased fibrin degradation products were seen on the day after thrombolysis, but tended to return to the normal range on the 4th day except for one patient who suffered from disseminated intravascular coagulation. Antithrombin III activity did not change so much. Therefore, the dosage of urokinase should be as low as possible to prevent fluctuations in the coagulation and fibrinolysis system.