A drug commonly used to treat stroke patients can also help treat coronavirus infection COVID-19, Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis reported referring to the scientists from the University of Aberdeen.
A research paper has been written by Dr Claire Whyte and Dr Nicola Mutch from the university’s Cardiovascular & Diabetes Center.
An aerosol version of a clot-disrupting drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can be a ‘pragmatic’ way to deal with complications of lung damage caused by coronavirus infection.
Diseases similar to COVID-19, including common flu, can cause inflammation, which leads to the deposition of a protein called fibrin. Accumulated fibrin reduces the amount of oxygen that the lung can take.
COVID-19 patients often form blood clots, which ultimately increases the risk of death. Scientists advise treating patients with pulmonary complications of COVID-19 with drugs to prevent the formation of unwanted blood clots. However, these drugs will not contribute to the breakdown of clots that have already formed.
In a review article, scientists suggest using a drug – tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) – which is currently used to treat stroke patients – it can be used to target clots that have already formed.
