tissue plasminogen activator

American  

noun

Biochemistry.

1. an anticlotting enzyme, naturally occurring in small amounts in the blood.

2. Pharmacology. the same enzyme, produced in large amounts by genetic engineering techniques for use in dissolving blood clots. TPA

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tissue plasminogen activator Scientific  

1. An enzyme that dissolves blood clots. It can be produced naturally by cells in the walls of blood vessels, or prepared through the use of genetic engineering. Tissue plasminogen activator is used in the coronary arteries during heart attacks and in the cranial arteries in certain types of strokes.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tissue plasminogen activator

And scientists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have begun enrolment for a clinical trial to evaluate an even more powerful clot-busting medication called tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA.

From Nature ● May 7, 2020

The patient was still within the three-hour window from his first symptom, and the ER staff put him on the clot-busting treatment known as tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA.

From US News ● Jul. 8, 2015

He had to decide whether or not to give her the tissue plasminogen activator or tPA shot, which would break up the clot from her ischemic stroke and restore blood flow to her brain.

From Washington Times ● May 11, 2015

Clinically, reperfusion of thrombus-occluded arteries using tissue plasminogen activator can be achieved in 1 to 6 h but, even when arterial flow is restored, a long-lasting reduction of cerebral blood flow can ensue.

From Nature ● Apr. 4, 2014

So far, the results with TPA, or tissue plasminogen activator, have been nothing short of astonishing.

From Time Magazine Archive