Plasmin acts directly to digest fibrin and lyse or break down clots. This two way process can result in venous occlusion from the clot and the breaking off of pieces of clot to form emboli. Thromboembolic disease can not only lead to catheter and venous occlusion, but can also lead to pulmonary embolism. In some cases the clot may be isolated from circulating plasminogen, making clot break down impossible or insufficient. When this happens, the use of a thrombolytic agent may be necessary to dissolve the thrombus promptly without complications.
Thrombolytic agents convert plasminogen to plasmin to induce clot breakup.
Despite significant advances in VAD technology, clinical research has shown that the presence of a VAD predisposes consumers to thrombus formation. A thrombus in and around the VAD can cause a partial or total catheter occlusion and can progress to venous thrombosis. VADs foster the development of thrombi through insertion-related trauma, through their ongoing presence in the vein or through drug therapy administered through the catheter. Also, research in recent years has identified a strong relationship between catheter thrombosis and infection. Intraluminal Thrombi .