New Drug Clears Hemodialysis Catheter Clots
John Schieszer March 31, 2010
Renal & Urology News
TAMPA, Fla.—Tenecteplase, a thrombolytic agent, may significantly improve the function of hemodialysis (HD) catheters blocked by blood clots, according to data from a phase 3 open-label trial.
“It is tremendously promising,” said study investigator Steven Fishbane, MD, Chief of Nephrology at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y. “Clotting has been a big problem. This gives us the first opportunity to help. This agent is a very important development. There are currently no FDA approved agents [for clearing HD catheter clots] so this could become the first approved drug for this purpose.”
Tenecteplase is a recombinant fibrin-specific plasminogen activator and is currently under FDA review. It is derived from tissue plasminogen activator, with modifications at three sites of the protein structure. Tenecteplase binds to the fibrin component of the thrombus and selectively converts thrombus-bound plasminogen to plasmin.
This subsequently degrades the fibrin matrix of the thrombus. The agent is indicated as a thrombolytic therapy for the acute phase of myocardial infarction (MI) for reduction of mortality associated with acute MI.
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1 comment:
Had contacted the manufacturer to introduce this product or samples of this for a limited study here last year. However, because we're a small market, they were not too keen to introduce a drug for an 'off label' use that could jeopardise the future of the drug abroad. I feel this drug could be used for fistula thromi as well.
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