Alteplase : a reappraisal of its pharmacology and therapeutic use in vascular disorders other than acute myocardial infarction

Alteplase is the product of recombinant DNA technology and is chemically identical to endogenous tissue-type plasminogen activator: Plasminogen is converted to plasmin by alteplase, and fibrinolysis of blood thrombi is subsequently stimulated. Alteplase is now firmly established as a treatment of choice in the management of acute myocardial infarction. The efficacy of intravenous alteplase in the treatment of pulmonary thromboembolism has also been established and appears to be similar to that of streptokinase and urokinase in this indication and in arterial thrombotic occlusion. However, its use in this latter indication and in other vascular disorders has not been as extensively documented. Although trials demonstrating the efficacy of intravenous alteplase in patients with deep vein thrombosis and intra-arterial alteplase in patients with arterial thrombotic occlusion exist, reliable data on the efficacy of the fibrinolytic in ischaemic stroke and intracranial haemorrhage are scarce. Little clinical benefit is apparent in patients with unstable angina, although careful use may be warranted in those with definite pretreatment coronary thrombi. Of concern, there is a suggestion that general use of alteplase in patients with unstable angina may be associated with increased incidence of myocardial infarction. The incidence of major haemorrhage associated with alteplase therapy increases with increasing dose and appears to be similar to that seen with other fibrinolytic agents. Thus, further well-designed studies of the use of alteplase in ischaemic stroke and cerebral haemorrhage are required. However, a small subset of patients with unstable angina and definite pretreatment coronary thrombi may benefit from alteplase therapy. Further, preliminary data suggest efficacy in the therapy of deep vein thrombosis and arterial thrombotic occlusion, and alteplase has a proven place in the fibrinolytic treatment of pulmonary thromboembolism.