The fibrinolytic system

ABSTRACT

The fibrinolytic system is the subject of renewed and intense interest. As understanding of its complexity at the biochemical level has increased, appreciation of the role of this system in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease has grown. In addition, techniques in molecular biology have been applied to various proteins in the system to produce larger quantities of traditional and genetically engineered plasminogen activators. Many of these advances at a biochemical and molecular level will be increasingly translated into clinical medical practice and practical clinical laboratory tests. This review highlights some of these advances and the laboratory tests that may be employed.