Thrombolyse / Thrombolysis , How it works, When it’s used, Risks / Complications.

 Thrombolyse / Thrombolysis means breaking down or dissolving a blood clot (thrombus) that is blocking blood flow in a blood vessel.

🔹 How it works:

• Special medicines called thrombolytic agents (e.g., Alteplase [tPA], Streptokinase, Urokinase) are injected into a vein or directly into the blocked vessel.

• These drugs activate the body’s own clot-dissolving system by converting plasminogen → plasmin, which breaks down fibrin (the main clot component).

🔹 When it’s used:

• Acute ischemic stroke (within 4.5 hours of onset)

• Myocardial infarction (heart attack) (when PCI isn’t available quickly)

• Massive pulmonary embolism (PE) with shock

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or limb ischemia in selected cases

🔹 Risks / Complications:

• Major risk is bleeding, especially intracranial hemorrhage

• Contraindicated in patients with recent surgery, trauma, uncontrolled hypertension, or bleeding disorders

👉 So, in short: Thrombolysis = clot-busting treatment to restore blood flow and save tissue/organ function.