QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: GLOSSARY
Thrombolysis
Treatment applied when a coronary thrombosis completely blocks the coronary artery to cause myocardial infarction (heart attack). The agents used actually dissolve out the clot to open the artery up again. Thrombolysis does not always work, but overall recovery from myocardial infarction is improved when it is used. Thrombolysis agents also stimulate platelet-rich intra-arterial thrombosis, so they should not be given if the artery is not completely occluded, as in unstable angina, and they should be given together with an anti-platelet agent such as aspirin.