Thrombolysis
Thrombolysis uses clot-dissolving medicine, including tPA and TNK to help restore blood flow during an acute ischemic stroke.
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Stroke & Cerebrovascular Disorders
We have decades of experience caring for patients with stroke & cerebrovascular disorders, pioneering minimally invasive treatments and leading research for new treatments to improve patient outcomes.
What Is Thrombolysis?
Thrombolysis is a treatment that uses medicine to dissolve a blood clot that is blocking blood flow. In cerebrovascular care, it is most often used for an acute ischemic stroke, which happens when a clot blocks an artery that supplies the brain. Two commonly used thrombolytic medicines are alteplase (tPA) and tenecteplase (TNK).
When used in the right situation and within a limited time window, thrombolysis may help reopen the blocked blood vessel, limit damage to brain tissue and improve recovery. A physician will quickly evaluate symptoms, imaging, timing and overall health to decide whether this treatment may be appropriate.
Why Choose Baptist Health?
Baptist Health Brain & Spine Care provides coordinated evaluation and treatment for urgent neurologic conditions such as stroke. For patients who may need thrombolysis, care decisions depend on fast assessment, brain imaging and close teamwork among emergency and stroke specialists.
Because thrombolysis is time-sensitive, access to rapid diagnosis matters. Baptist Health experts focus on timely evaluation, clear communication and a treatment plan tailored to the patient’s symptoms, imaging findings and medical history. Additional treatment, including mechanical thrombectomy, may also be considered for some patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Thrombolysis is the overall treatment approach. tPA, also called alteplase, and TNK, also called tenecteplase, are two clot-dissolving medicines that may be used to perform thrombolysis for certain patients with acute ischemic stroke.
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Thrombolysis is highly time-sensitive. The care team evaluates when symptoms began, imaging results and other medical factors to decide whether treatment may still help. In general, faster treatment gives the best chance of protecting brain tissue.
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Both medicines dissolve blood clots, but they are not exactly the same. tPA usually refers to alteplase, which is given as an IV bolus followed by an infusion. TNK refers to tenecteplase, which is usually given as a single IV bolus. TNK may be easier to give quickly, while alteplase remains a well-established treatment.
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Candidates are usually people with suspected acute ischemic stroke who arrive within an appropriate time window and do not have factors that make treatment unsafe. A physician must confirm eligibility.
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That decision depends on the patient’s symptoms, brain imaging, timing, bleeding risk, hospital protocols and whether other urgent treatment is planned. Some teams may prefer TNK because it can be given in one IV dose. Others may use alteplase based on established protocols or patient-specific factors.
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No. Thrombolysis is generally used for ischemic stroke caused by a blocked blood vessel. It is not used for hemorrhagic stroke caused by bleeding.
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The most serious risk is bleeding, including bleeding in the brain. The care team weighs this risk against the potential benefit of restoring blood flow.
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The team may recommend other care based on the cause and severity of symptoms. For some patients, this may include supportive stroke care, monitoring or other procedures.
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The treatment itself is usually not painful beyond IV placement and routine monitoring. Most patients are focused on urgent stroke symptoms and rapid evaluation.
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Possibly. Even when treatment helps restore blood flow, some patients benefit from physical, occupational or speech therapy during recovery.
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