The effects of heparin and dermatan sulphate on t-PA-induced thrombolysis and blood loss in rabbits

The clinical use of heparin in combination with tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) is based upon the rationale that heparin acceleration of thrombin inhibition by antithrombin III (ATHI) should prevent thrombus growth, allowing for more rapid thrombolysis by t-PA. However, studies both in vitro and in vivo suggest that t-PA+heparin is not synergistic, presumably because t-PA and heparin compete for the same fibrin binding sites. Recenty, we …