tissue plasminogen activator

tissue plasminogen activator   n.   Abbr. TPA or tPA A clot-dissolving enzyme that is produced naturally by cells in the walls of blood vessels and catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin. A preparation of this enzyme that is produced by genetic engineering and used to dissolve clots blocking coronary arteries in heart attack and cranial arteries in certain cases of stroke.

Main Entry: tissue plasminogen activator
Function: noun
: a clot-dissolving enzyme that has an affinity for fibrin, that catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen toplasmin, that is produced naturally in blood vessel linings, and that is used in a genetically engineered form to prevent damage to heart muscle following a heart attack and to reduce neurologicaldamage following ischemic stroke —abbreviation TPA

tissue plasminogen activator n.
An enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, used to dissolve blood clots rapidly and selectively, especially in the treatment of heart attacks.

tissue plasminogen activator   An enzyme that dissolves blood clots. It can be produced naturally by cells in the walls of blood vessels, or prepared through the use of genetic engineering. Tissue plasminogen activator is used in the coronary arteries during heart attacks and in the cranial arteries in certain types of strokes.