Summary
An animal model was used in which venous thromboemboli of reproducible size could
be formed. The effects of SK 500–50,000 units per hour were evaluated and compared
to those of saline. Proportionately the greatest clot lysis occurred with the lowest
doses of SK. In contrast to thrombolysis, significant fibrinogenolysis did not occur
in any of the animals indicating a high degree of specificity of SK-induced activator
for rabbit fibrin. An excellent correlation between the concentration of fibrin degradation
products (fdp) measured by the serial dilution protamine sulfate test and the extent
of clot lysis was found suggesting this to be a useful method for monitoring the effects
of thrombolytic therapy. A method for the laboratory distinction of fdp from fibrin
monomer was demonstrated.
