Thrombolytics: prospects for new agents

Abstract

Thrombolytic therapy revolutionised the management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The ability to re-establish coronary artery patency with intravenous thrombolytic drugs has transformed our therapeutic approach, despite patency failures and re-occlusions. However, the established agents are not perfect and a number of novel thrombolytic drugs have consequently been developed and evaluated. This article reviews the currently available agents, discusses available adjunctive therapies and examines the future developments that may affect the application of this therapy.