When a blood clot forms in a blood vessel, it may cut off or severely reduce blood flow to parts of the body that are supplied by that blood vessel. This can cause serious damage to those parts of the body, including:

1. Heart attack caused by blood clots in the arteries of the heart (acute myocardial infarction)
2. Stroke caused by a blood clot in an artery of the brain (acute ischemic stroke)
3. Blood clots in the arteries of the lungs (pulmonary embolism)

Since these drugs have a risk for causing severe bleeding, there are several reasons that could prevent a patient from receiving thrombolytic therapy, such as those with a history of:

1. Ischemic stroke
2. Brain tumor or other brain disease
3. Blood  disease or history of bleeding problems in any part of the body
4. High blood pressure (severe)
5. Stomach ulcer or colitis
6. Severe liver disease
7. Recent falls, injuries, or blows to the body or head
8. Recent surgery, including dental surgery
9. Bacterial infection or inflammation of the heart (endocarditis), or inflammation of the lining of the heart (pericarditis)
10. Recent delivery of a baby
11. Current use of Warfarin

The patient is closely monitored in an intensive care unit for a few days.

Thrombolytic therapy can lead to complications in some patients, including:

1. Bleeding 5%
2. Intracranial hemorrhage 0.5-1%
3. Stroke 1%
4. Major non-cerebral bleeding 0.7%

The success of the procedure depends on a number of factors. Please discuss the likelihood of success with your doctor before the procedure.
 
What can happen if this therapy is not given?
Reduction of mortality and physical disability following the treatment with a thrombolytic agent has been demonstrated in patients who have had a heart attack or stroke. The omission of treatment may result in the increase of mortality, morbidity, or disability (in stroke).
 
 

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute myocardial infarction