Administration of a pharmacological agent with the intention of causing thrombolysis of an abnormal blood clot, such as in the coronary (myocardial infarction) or pulmonary (pulmonary embolism) arteries. Available agents include streptokinase, urokinase, tissue plasminogen activator, and APSAC. These preparations may be given either intravenously or directly into the blocked artery (intra-arterial).
The use of drugs that degrade blood clots to treat acute myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, or stroke.