Summary
Thrombin is the product of the hemostatic response essential to the conversion of
fibrinogen to fibrin. In addition, it is also responsible for the aggregation of blood
platelets in the formation of the “platelet plug” as well as the activation of factor
VIII, factor V, factor XI, factor XIII and protein C. The action of thrombin is not
confined to the hemostatic response as it also has a critical function in the wound
healing process by stimulating ‘mitogenic’ events through interaction with cell surface
receptors. In this review, we consider the various biological activities of thrombin
as they relate to current therapeutic use. While there has been considerable interest
in the development of fibrin sealant products, there has been considerably less interest
in documenting the continuing use of thrombin as a therapeutic. The use of thrombin
for topical hemostasis and the treatment of pseudoaneurysms will be discussed in detail.
It is concluded that the use of thrombin as a drug will not only continue but also
will significantly increase. However, the availability of a safe human thrombin preparation
will be critical for the continued use of thrombin as a therapeutic.
Keywords
Pseudoaneurysms - vascular surgery - thrombin - topical hemostatic agents - interventional
radiology