Evaluating the Efficacy of Thrombolytic Agents on Dissolving Different Clot Structures

Thrombolytic therapy is an effective method for dissolving blood clots that block cerebral arteries and cause strokes. Through this procedure, plasminogen activators are used to recanalize vessels and restore blood flow. This study investigates the dissolution of clots with different structures using three plasminogen activator drugs. Fibrin clots with coarse and fine fibrin fibers, as well as retracted clots representing aged clots with reduced serum, are analyzed. The dissolution model includes the dynamics of flow within the vessel and clot, the elasticity of the vessel wall, and its interaction with the fluid. Drug transport into the clot is modeled by convection and diffusion. The results indicate that treatment regimens with alteplase, reteplase, and tenecteplase are safe and effective in dissolving clots across all structures considered. However, lysis activation time and vessel recanalization time are significantly shorter with tenecteplase and alteplase compared to reteplase. Additionally, coarse clots with larger fibrin fibers dissolve faster than fine clots, and retracted clots require nearly twice as much time to dissolve.