In vitro effects of rt-PA on platelet function and clot strength

Bleeding is a complex complication of thrombolytic therapy with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA). Among the hemostatic causes, reduction of plasma fibrinogen concentration, presence of FDP, platelet dysfunction and weak clots are some attributed reasons for this event (1,2). As bleeding is also reported after local low-dose therapy (3), this study was designed to evaluate the in vitro effects of rt-PA at low and high final concentrations (1 and 20 mu g/ml) on the above mentioned parameters.