fibrinolytic system
Last reviewed 01/2018
Fibrinolysis, the breakdown of fibrin polymer, occurs by at least two pathways resulting in the active agents protein C and plasmin. The latter is the better characterised and the term fibrinolysis is commonly taken to mean the plasmin pathway; protein C is discussed in the submenu.
Drugs which affect plasmin production are clinically important: accelerating agents include streptokinase; retarding agents include tranexamic acid.