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Ency. home > Disease > P > Primary or secondary fibrinolysis

Primary or secondary fibrinolysis   

Overview

Alternative names:

Fibrinolysis

Definition:

Fibrinolysis is the process by which a fibrin clot (blood clot) breaks down, caused by the action of several enzymes. Fibrinolysis occurs continuously and naturally in the body, with continuing formation and dissolution of clots in equilibrium.

However, the rate of fibrinolysis can be abnormally high because of stressors like intense exercise, inadequate oxygenation of tissues, low blood sugar, and bacterial infections. Primary fibrinolysis occurs as an "original" condition; secondary fibrinolysis develops because of another disorder, medications, or other causes.

In some cases, doctors may wish to speed up the rate of fibrinolysis. For example, when an abnormal "clot" forms in the coronary artery vessels, leading to a heart attack, man-made fibrinolytics such as tPA, streptokinase or retavase may be given intravenously to attempt to break up the culprit clot, if catheterization facilities are not readily available.

Ency. home > Disease > P > Primary or secondary fibrinolysis

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