Alteplase is a recombinant form of human tissue plasminogen activator used in the emergency treatment of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and pulmonary emboli. It cleaves plasminogen to form plasmin, an enzyme involved in the degradation of fibrin clots.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 2 references
Alteplase is a recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) that converts plasminogen to plasmin in a fibrin-dependent process. In the absence of fibrin, alteplase converts a limited amount of plasminogen. However, in the presence of fibrin clots, alteplase binds to fibrin and cleaves the arginine-valine bond at positions 560 and 561 of plasminogen, converting it into its active form, plasmin. Plasmin in turn degrades the fibrin matrix of the thrombus and promotes clot dissolution. Alteplase initiates local fibrinolysis with limited systemic proteolysis.
- Primary indication
- Alteplase is indicated for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and for use in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) for the reduction of mortality and incidence of heart failure.Curator reviewed · 5 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C2569H3928N746O781S40 · 59000.0 Da (Does not include carboyhydrate moieties)
- First approval
- Canada, 2002 · United States, 1987
- Also known as
- Alteplase (genetical recombination) · Alteplase, recombinant · Alteplase,recombinant · Plasminogen activator (human tissue-type protein moiety) · r-tPA
- Brand names
Resolves to
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