An artificial circulation for the study of thrombolysis. The influence of flow rate and pressure on thrombolysis and a comparison between urokinase and tissue activator as thrombolytic agents.

The construction of an artificial circulation for the study of thrombolysis allowing variation in fluid pressure and flow rate is described. The lysis of 125I-fibrin was not influenced by variation in pressure between 10 and 30 cm H2O, but was significantly faster at a flow rate of 25 ml/min than at 40 ml/min or 10 ml/min. At equivalent concentrations as assessed on fibrin plates tissue activator induced greater thrombolysis than urokinase. Thrombolysis by both activators was diminished in the presence of plasma.