MED REVIEW MONDAY: Streptokinase (aka Streptase)
What is it? A thrombolytic drug (it breaks up clots) administered intravenously
How does it work? Plasmin is a blood component that normally acts to break fibrin bonds after a regular blood clot has completed its job in stopping a bleed. Streptokinase increases the production of plasmin so that “bad” clots break up.
When is it used? During an MI to break up blockages in the heart and prevent damage to the muscle tissue, during a pulmonary embolism to break up a clot in the lungs, during an ischemic stroke but NEVER hemorrhagic
What do I need to know about it? Because it’s made from a bacteria material, we develop resistance to it and can have a severe (even anaphylactic) allergic reaction the second time the drug is given. Therefore, it is only indicated during a patient’s first heart attack. TPA is used instead if there is a future need. Do not administer concurrently with an anticoagulant or aspirin. Thrombin time is monitored during use. Heparin therapy should follow the use of Streptokinase.
WOMEN’S HEALTH WEDNESDAY
Go Red For Women ™ presents: ‘Just a Little Heart Attack’
I love this new film. It’s 3 minutes, it’s hilarious, it’s… as serious as a heart attack. Please share this with every woman you know!
Super cool video, but I also think it’s important to acknowledge that for many women, the story does not have such an easy conclusion. Symptoms of a heart attack vary between the genders - a woman may never experience the “classic” pressure in the chest or pain in the left arm radiating to the jaw. Female heart attack symptoms usually include fatigue, nausea and indigestion. And women being women, they often deny the fact that anything is wrong and refuse medical attention - just like this woman did at first in the video.
TRICKY THURSDAY
The preliminary steps of treating a heart attack (in no particular order):
M - Morphine
O - Oxygen
N - Nitroglycerin
A - Aspirin
