Final answer:
An intravenous or intraarterial injection to dissolve blood clots is known as thrombolytic therapy, with agents like tissue plasminogen activator being used especially within the critical window following a thrombotic stroke.
Step-by-step explanation:
An injection of a medication either intravenously or intraarterially to dissolve blood clots is called a thrombolytic therapy. Thrombolytic agents, such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), accelerate the breakdown of clots and are critical in the treatment of conditions like thrombotic strokes. When administered within 3 hours of a stroke, they can significantly improve patient prognosis. However, it's important to distinguish between thrombotic strokes and hemorrhagic strokes before administration because thrombolytics are contraindicated in the latter. Among other emergent therapies, streptokinase and similar agents are used to dissolve the clot during myocardial infarction (MI) and prevent further cardiovascular complications.
Novel research continues to explore potential thrombolytic compounds from unconventional sources, such as snake venom from vipers and cobras, which may lead to the development of new, effective thrombolytic medications. While thrombolytics focus on breaking down clots, other treatments like angioplasty with stent insertion mechanically widen the occlusion to restore blood flow, complementing the therapeutic actions of thrombolytics.