Retinal Toxicity of Commercial Intravitreal Tissue Plasminogen Activator Solution in Cat Eyes

Abstract

TISSUE PLASMINOGEN activator (tPA) is a clot-specific thrombolytic enzyme available for clinical use through recombinant DNA technology. Tissue plasminogen activator is used in vitreoretinal surgery to hasten the resolution of postvitrectomy fibrin^1,2 and to facilitate thrombolysis during surgical aspiration of submacular hemorrhage.^3-5 Intravitreal tPA injection has been shown to facilitate subsequent surgical evacuation of subretinal hemorrhage.⁶ Recently, Heriot⁷ and Hassan et al⁸ reported the use of intravitreal tPA and gas to lyse and pneumatically displace submacular hemorrhage. Also, intravitreal tPA is currently under investigation as a possible treatment for acute retinal venous occlusive disease.⁹