Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
streptokinase
References
Britannica AI Icon

streptokinase

drug
Written by
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  Encyclopædia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them.
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last updated

Quick Summary

Streptokinase is a fibrinolytic drug that promotes the dissolution of blood clots. It is a proteolytic enzyme produced by streptococcal bacteria.1

Streptokinase works by activating plasminogen to form plasmin, the enzyme responsible for breaking down fibrin, a key component of blood clots. This action helps to restore blood flow in cases of acute deep-vein, pulmonary, and arterial thrombi. It is particularly effective when administered soon after a heart attack to reestablish blood flow and limit tissue damage. While effective for recent blockages, it is less successful in treating chronic occlusions. An overdose can lead to bleeding due to the breakdown of coagulation factors.21

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
  1. fibrinolytic drug
  2. streptokinase

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.