Oxidative Stress and Leukocyte Activation Following Thrombolysis in Pulmonary Embolism.

The article reports on a study conducted to measure the oxidative stress parameters and the leukocyte function in patients suffering from acute pulmonary embolism. 9 patients with acute pulmonary embolism undergoing thromboiysis by ultra-high dose streptokinase, or alteplase were studied. Blood samples were collected before treatment and 8 h, 1,3, 5 and 30 days after treatment. The study shows that pulmonary embolism induced oxidative stress that was further enhanced following thromboiysis. Decreased adhesion molecule expression of circulating leukocytes reflects the pathological leukocyte endothelial cell interactions in the first hour of thrombolysis.