Cardiac arrest and the role of thrombolytic agents

Thrombolytic agents may have clinically significant beneficial effects in c ardiac arrest. The application of thrombolytic drugs in the setting of curr ent and antecedent cardiopulmonary resuscitation is well documented; howeve r, it has not been systematically studied nor has it been widely considered . We provide a literature review of thrombolytic agents and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to discuss the need for randomized controlled trials and the possibility of benefits in acute resuscitation.