AIMS To investigate the fibrinolytic activity of normal and calculous human bile. METHODS Fibrinolytic properties of the biliary tract were studied in patients with gall bladder stones (n = 7) compared with acalculous gall bladders (n = 8). RESULTS Bile plasminogen activating activity was detected in a wide range in both groups (calculous bile median 0.35 IU/ml; range: 0.06-6.59, versus nor...

Background and Purpose: Early thrombolytic therapy with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator is a theoretically attractive approach to the treatment of acute focal cerebral ischemia. In preparation for a larger multicenter trial, three centers piloted a protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator begun w...

The use of tissue plasminogen activator in ischemic stroke is controversial. Many practicing physicians believe that its usefulness is established, while others, including professional specialty societies, are less sanguine. A review of the literature appears to show that the use of tissue plasminogen activator is efficacious and can result in highly improved outcomes for a majority of eligible...

OBJECTIVE To report our experience with low-dose tissue plasminogen activator in the treatment of calciphylaxis, a rare, usually fatal thrombotic condition that results in ischemia, necrosis, and infarction of adipose and cutaneous tissue. DESIGN Retrospective chart review. SETTING Tertiary care academic medical center. PATIENTS Fifteen patients (4 men and 11 women) with calciphylaxis, tr...

Release of tissue plasminogen activator into the circulation of rats in response to intravascular injections of vasoactive agents is studied by using a sensitive and specific clot lysis assay. Intra-arterial bradykinin elicits a rapid and transient rise in circulating plasminogen activator, which is maximum within one minute and is cleared within four to eight minutes. The plasminogen activator...