Generation of activated protein C during thrombolysis

The observation that urokinase infusion increases circulating levels of the anticoagulant activated protein C (APC) in baboons implies that APC might be elevated during thrombolytic therapy. Patients undergoing coronary thrombolysis showed an 11-fold increase (means from 6 to 69 μg/L) in APC during infusion of streptokinase. Thrombolytic therapy thus generates at least two potent antithrombotic factors in the circulation—the fibrinolytic enzyme, plasmin, and the anticoagulant enzyme, APC. APC may help prevent reocclusion during or after thrombolysis.