Which thrombolytic medication is used to treat acute MI?

• A. Treat massive PE
• B. Treat acute MI
• C. Prevent DVT
• D. Restore latency to central IV catheters

Answer: (B)

Thrombolytic therapy dissolves clots by converting plasminogen to plasmin, which breaks down fibrin strands that hold the clot together. In an acute myocardial infarction, a clot blocks a coronary artery, and dissolving that clot quickly can restore blood flow to the heart muscle, limiting damage and improving outcomes. The drugs commonly used for this purpose—such as alteplase (tPA), tenecteplase, and reteplase—are given when timely percutaneous coronary intervention isn’t available or would be delayed, with the best results when given within about 12 hours of symptom onset.

Among the options, the correct idea is that thrombolysis is used to treat an acute MI. The other choices describe different scenarios: thrombolytics can be used for massive pulmonary embolism, but that’s a separate indication; preventing DVT is typically achieved with anticoagulants rather than thrombolytics; and restoring patency of central venous catheters can involve catheter-directed thrombolysis but is not the standard goal in an acute MI context.