Intracerebral haemorrhage - Thrombolytic therapy Factor
RMA definition
The RMA has defined thrombolytic therapy as the therapeutic administration of a pharmacological agent in order to dissolve a thrombus, retard fibrin deposition on established thrombi or prevent the formation of new thrombi, and includes agents such as streptokinase, urokinase, tissue plasminogen activator, pro-urokinase, acyl-SK-plasminogen, anistreplase, alteplase, defibrotide, duteplase, lanoteplase, monteplase, nasaruplase, saruplase, staphylokinase or reteplase.
Brand names for thrombolytics
Thrombolytics may also be referred to as fibrinolytic agents. Brand names for this type of medication include Actilyse, Ukidan, Streptase, Kabikinase and Varidase Topical. Drugs such as Warfarin and Heparin are anticoagulant therapy, not thrombolytic therapy, although haemorrhage can be a complication of this type of treatment also. Refer to a MIMS publication or you may wish to seek medical advice if you are unsure whether or not a particular medication is a form of thrombolytic therapy.
Use of thrombolytic therapy
This medication is used to dissolve blood clots. Heart attacks, pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis are some of the medical conditions for which this type of medication is used. This form of treatment, however, carries with it a risk of haemorrhage in almost any tissue or organ of the body.
Establishing a history of thrombolytic therapy
A history of thrombolytic therapy should be documented in the evidence. However, if doctors' notes and hospitals' records cannot be obtained, a statement that thrombolytic therapy was given at a particular time will generally be accepted, unless there is contradictory evidence. Seek medical advice if it is unclear whether the claimed thrombolytic therapy is medically feasible.
Last reviewed for CCPS 24 May 2007.
Preliminary questions [12589]
12953 there is some evidence that undergoing thrombolytic therapy may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration, a cerebrovascular accident.
12738 the veteran has undergone thrombolytic therapy at some time.
12739 the veteran was undergoing thrombolytic therapy at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, a cerebrovascular accident.
12740 the veteran was undergoing thrombolytic therapy at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, a cerebrovascular accident, for treatment of an illness or injury which is identifiable.
12741 the veteran has established the causal connection between the thrombolytic therapy and VEA service for the clinical onset of cerebrovascular accident.
12742 the veteran has established the causal connection between the thrombolytic therapy and operational service for the clinical onset of cerebrovascular accident.
or
12743 the veteran has established the causal connection between the thrombolytic therapy and eligible service for the clinical onset of cerebrovascular accident.
Clinical onset and operational service [12742]
12744 the identified illness or injury for which the thrombolytic therapy was undergone is causally related to operational service.
Clinical onset and eligible service [12743]
12745 the identified illness or injury for which the thrombolytic therapy was undergone is causally related to eligible service.