Thrombolytic therapy is one of the treatments that can be applied in the event of a heart attack, cerebral infarction or peripheral infarction (total blockage of an artery by a blood clot), says Alexandru Mischie. In myocardial infarction it is the second option of treatment after coronary angioplasty with stent. In the cerebral infarction it is the recommended method of treatment if symptoms occurred at most 3 hours earlier and if there is no cerebral bleeding. In the peripheral infarct it is a preferred method of treatment, though first intention is thrombectomy.

Thrombolysis may be:

Systemic intravenous or intra-arterial

Catheter-based (arterial catheterization technique). A catheter is inserted to the artery where the clot is found and a substance that dissolve blood clots (thrombolytic) is injected. Sometimes, the catheter can be left in place for hours, in order to exert the desired response. Very rarely, the clot does not melt and the introduction of a stent is necessary.