The challenge of maintaining coronary arterial patency with intravenous heparin following tissue plasminogen activator administration

It is widely accepted that coronary arterial patency, achieved early after symptom onset and maintained over time, is an absolute prerequisite for patient benefit following thrombolytic therapy. Conjunctive pharmacological agents such as heparin appear to play an important role in maintaining vessel patency, particularly following tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) administration. Unfortunately, dosing strategies and monitoring have not kept pace with the rest of the field. Further investigation is encouraged.

Duke Scholars

Author Richard Clinton Becker Medicine, Cardiology