Thrombolytics for Pulmonary Embolisms: A Narrative Review
by Sage L. Orlowski, 2025 PharmD Candidate, Soriene N. Ozcan, 2025 PharmD Candidate, Katherine M. Bush, 2024 PharmD Candidate
"Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a type of venous thromboembolism (VTE) where the pulmonary artery, or its smaller connecting arteries, are blocked, and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Thrombolytic therapy can be beneficial in treating pulmonary embolism. First generation thrombolytics include urokinase (Kinlytic®) and streptokinase (Streptase®); second generation thrombolytics include alteplase (Activase®) (tPA); and third generation thrombolytics are tenecteplese (TNKase®) and reteplase (Retavase®). The use of thrombolytics in patients with pulmonary embolisms is progressing rapidly and, in some cases, can be lifesaving, but there are several patient-specific factors and adverse effects that must be considered for each patient case, which may potentially lead to hesitancy when considering thrombolytic agents."
Keywords: Reteplase, Tissue Plasminogen Activator, Fibrinolytic Agents, Tenecteplase, Urokinase-type Plasminogen Activator, Streptokinase, Venous Thromboembolism, Pulmonary Embolism, Iatrogenic Disease, Morbidity
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2023 July/August Table of Contents
"Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a type of venous thromboembolism (VTE) where the pulmonary artery, or its smaller connecting arteries, are blocked, and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Thrombolytic therapy can be beneficial in treating pulmonary embolism. First generation thrombolytics include urokinase (Kinlytic®) and streptokinase (Streptase®); second generation thrombolytics include alteplase (Activase®) (tPA); and third generation thrombolytics are tenecteplese (TNKase®) and reteplase (Retavase®). The use of thrombolytics in patients with pulmonary embolisms is progressing rapidly and, in some cases, can be lifesaving, but there are several patient-specific factors and adverse effects that must be considered for each patient case, which may potentially lead to hesitancy when considering thrombolytic agents."
Keywords: Reteplase, Tissue Plasminogen Activator, Fibrinolytic Agents, Tenecteplase, Urokinase-type Plasminogen Activator, Streptokinase, Venous Thromboembolism, Pulmonary Embolism, Iatrogenic Disease, Morbidity
Download PDF
2023 July/August Table of Contents