Using the centerline method in a canine model, we compared left ventricular function after coronary thrombolysis induced by a novel modified recombinant
tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) (
E6010: 84Cys-->84Ser) to that induced by rt-PA or
urokinase. Thirty minutes after occlusion, a bolus injection of
E6010 (0.2 mg/kg) or a continuous infusion of either rt-PA (0.6 mg/kg over 1 h) or
urokinase (0.38 mg/kg over 1 h) was administered intravenously. Animals with sustained
copper coil-occlusion served as non-reperfused controls. Left ventricular ejection fraction and regional wall motion (expressed as the
infarction chord number; ie, the number of chords < -2SD among chords 12-66) were 42 +/- 5%** and 5 +/- 3,** respectively, in the
E6010 group, 31 +/- 8% and 16 +/- 12 in the rt-PA group, and 31 +/- 2% and 32 +/- 13 in the
urokinase group 1 h after reperfusion, indicating earlier recovery of left ventricular function after thrombolysis in the
E6010 group than in the rt-PA and
urokinase groups (**p < 0.01 vs control). Coronary reperfusion with
E6010 induced earlier recovery of left ventricular function than reperfusion with rt-PA or
urokinase. These results suggest that
E6010 may be of clinical value in the treatment of
coronary occlusion.