Question

Thrombolytic drugs are used to

1. convert plasmin to plasminogen.
2. prevent the liver from making fibrin.
3. prevent a thrombus from forming.
4. lyse a thrombus

Answer 1

Thrombolytic drugs are used to break down blood clots by converting plasminogen to plasmin, and are particularly critical in the treatment of thrombotic strokes within a specific time frame.

Step-by-step explanation:

Thrombolytic drugs are primarily used to lyse a thrombus. Their mechanism of action involves the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, which in turn degrades fibrin clots. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a type of thrombolytic agent that catalyzes this conversion. It is particularly important to administer a thrombolytic agent within a narrow time window after a thrombotic stroke to improve the patient's prognosis. Research into new thrombolytic agents includes studying compounds found in the venom of certain snakes, which may lead to future therapeutic options.