Thromb Haemost 1991; 65(05): 541-544
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1648186
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

Standard and Low Molecular Weight Heparin Have no Effect on Tissue Plasminogen Activator Induced Plasma Clot Lysis or Fibrinogenolysis

Authors

  • Jeffrey I Weitz

    The Department of Medicine, McMaster University, and the Hamilton Civic Hospitals Research Centre, Hamilton, Ont., Canada
  • Jacob Kuint

    The Department of Medicine, McMaster University, and the Hamilton Civic Hospitals Research Centre, Hamilton, Ont., Canada
  • Beverly Leslie

    The Department of Medicine, McMaster University, and the Hamilton Civic Hospitals Research Centre, Hamilton, Ont., Canada
  • Jack Hirsh

    The Department of Medicine, McMaster University, and the Hamilton Civic Hospitals Research Centre, Hamilton, Ont., Canada
Further Information

Publication History

Received 25 September 1990

Accepted after revision 15 January 1991

Publication Date:
24 July 2018 (online)

Preview

Summary

Although heparin is often given as an adjunct to tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), the effect of heparin on t-PA induced fibrin(ogen)olysis is controversial. To address this controversy, we examined the effects of standard and low molecular weight heparin (enoxaparine) on both t-PA induced clot lysis and t-PA mediated fibrinogenolysis in a human plasma system. Accordingly, 125I-labeled fibrin clots were incubated in t-PA containing citrated plasma in the presence or absence of these glycosaminoglycans, and the extent of thrombolysis was determined by measuring residual radioactivity of the clots, while Bβ1–42 levels were used as a specific index of fibrinogenolysis. Over a wide range of t-PA concentrations (0.1 to 1.6 μg/ml), neither heparin nor enoxaparine influences either t-PA induced clot lysis or t-PA mediated Bβ1–42 generation. These findings suggest that either agent could be used as an adjunct to t-PA without compromising either the thrombolytic potential of t-PA or its clotselectivity