Effects of streptokinase and urokinase on microarterial thrombosis and haemostasis. An experimental study in rabbits.

The effects of streptokinase and urokinase on haemostasis, accumulation of platelets radiolabelled with phosphorus (32P) and patency were studied after arteriotomy and deep vessel wall trauma of the central arteries of rabbits' ears. In one study, 12 rabbits were given 1700 IU/kg body weight of streptokinase or urokinase as intraaortic bolus injections five minutes before vascular reperfusion (opening of vascular clamps). A further six were given saline (controls). In the second, 12 further rabbits were each given 3,400 IU/kg of either substance, one fifth as a bolus before reperfusion and the remainder as a continuous infusion during the next two hours. A further six were given saline (controls). Irrespective of the dosage regimens, neither substance improved patency compared with saline-treated controls. Separate dose response studies with streptokinase showed that bolus or bolus+infusion doses larger than those given caused troublesome arteriotomy bleeding. Compared with controls, streptokinase increased, and urokinase decreased, accumulation of platelets. This was not reflected in differences in patency rates, which were similar in all groups. In conclusion, fibrinolytic stimulation with non-thrombolytic doses of streptokinase or urokinase did not prevent microarterial thrombosis in rabbits. The therapeutic index for these substances in clinical microvascular surgery is probably low, as haemorrhagic complications may be expected.