[Urokinase. Biochemical therapeutical and therapeutical data (author's transl)].

Two thrombolytic agents are mainly used in patients: streptokinase (SK) and urokinase (UK). UK from human origin is an endopeptidase which is able to convert plasminogen into plasmin. UK is only secreted by the kidney and is only found in urine which is presently the only source of extraction. Studies in man have shown that UK produces a highly reproducible state of enhanced plasma thrombolytic activity with a high fibrinolysis/fibrnogenolysis ratio and a lack of toxicity and antigenicity. The half life in Animal is short as well as the duration of fibrinolytic activity in Man. In clinical experience, positive results have been reported in pulminary embolism while the issues in myocardial infarction are controversial. Suggestive results have been registered in deep vein thrombosis, in ophthalmologic field and in desobstruction of arterio-venious shunts. No evident benefit has been noted in cerebral vascular disease. Up to now, UK has been very well tolerated.