Hey mskr a flowchart of fibrolysis and all enzymes and acruvators related to it usmle exam solving

Reading File
Finding Sources
Finding Sources
Reading File
Reading File
Reading File
Loading Image
Finding Sources
Reading File
Generating Image

A detailed USMLE-style medical flowchart of fibrinolysis showing all enzymes, activators, and inhibitors. The flowchart should include: ACTIVATORS section (top): - tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) - released from vascular endothelium, stimulated by activated Protein C (APC) and bradykinin - uPA (urokinase-type plasminogen activator) - single-chain (1c-uPA) activated to two-chain (2c-uPA) by Factor XIIa and Kallikrein - Streptokinase (exogenous, from beta-hemolytic Streptococcus) - allosteric modifier, forms streptokinase-plasminogen complex CENTRAL PATHWAY (middle): - Plasminogen (zymogen, binds fibrin via c-lysine residues) → [tPA / uPA / Streptokinase] → Plasmin (active serine protease) - Fibrin (cofactor, increases tPA activity 1000x) → Fibrin Degradation Products (FDP / D-dimer) - Plasmin cleaves cross-linked fibrin → FDPs cleared by liver CONTACT ACTIVATION pathway: - Factor XII → Factor XIIa → activates Prekallikrein → Kallikrein (with HMWK cofactor) - Kallikrein → activates 1c-uPA to 2c-uPA; Kallikrein cleaves HMWK → Bradykinin → stimulates endothelium to release tPA INHIBITORS section (bottom, with red inhibitory arrows): - PAI-1 (Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1, serpin) → inhibits tPA and uPA → forms tPA-PAI-1 complex (cleared by liver) - α2-Antiplasmin (serpin, crosslinked to fibrin by Factor XIIIa) → inhibits free circulating Plasmin → forms PAP complex (cleared by liver) - TAFIa (Thrombin-Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor) → activated by Thrombin-Thrombomodulin complex → cleaves c-lysine residues from fibrin → prevents plasminogen binding DRUG TARGETS box: - tPA drugs: Alteplase, Tenecteplase (TNK), Reteplase (rPA) - Non-fibrin-specific: Streptokinase - All convert plasminogen → plasmin → dissolve fibrin clot Use blue arrows for activation, red flat-headed arrows for inhibition, green boxes for enzymes/active forms, yellow boxes for zymogens, orange boxes for inhibitors. Clean white background with clear labels and professional medical diagram style.

Fibrinolysis Flowchart

Fibrinolysis — Complete USMLE Flowchart

Here is the textbook diagram from Tietz / Basic Medical Biochemistry for reference:
Plasminogen Activation Diagram

Key Concepts to Know for USMLE

Central Reaction

Plasminogen → Plasmin (via plasminogen activators) Plasmin cleaves fibrin → FDPs + D-dimer

Activators

ActivatorSourceNotes
tPA (tissue plasminogen activator)Vascular endotheliumFibrin-specific; fibrin increases its activity 1000×; stimulated by bradykinin and Protein C
uPA (urokinase-type PA)Most cells/tissues1c-uPA (inactive) → 2c-uPA (active) via kallikrein/Factor XIIa; extravascular role
Streptokinaseβ-hemolytic StreptococcusNOT an enzyme; allosteric modifier of plasminogen; forms SK–plasminogen complex → autocatalyzes plasmin

Contact Activation Pathway (links to fibrinolysis)

Factor XII → Factor XIIa → cleaves prekallikrein → Kallikrein (HMWK cofactor)
  • Kallikrein activates 1c-uPA → 2c-uPA
  • Kallikrein cleaves HMWK → bradykinin → endothelium releases tPA

Inhibitors

InhibitorTargetMechanism
PAI-1 (Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1)tPA and uPASerpin; forms tPA–PAI-1 complex → cleared by liver
α2-AntiplasminPlasmin (free)Serpin; crosslinked to fibrin by Factor XIIIa; inactivates circulating plasmin → PAP complex
TAFIa (Thrombin-Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor)Fibrin lysine residuesActivated by thrombin–thrombomodulin complex; cleaves c-lysine residues → prevents plasminogen binding
🔑 Key point: Clot-bound plasmin is protected from α2-antiplasmin; free circulating plasmin is rapidly neutralized. This localizes fibrinolysis to the clot site.

Fibrinolytic Drugs (USMLE Favorites)

DrugTypeNotes
Alteplase (tPA)Fibrin-specificGold standard for ischemic stroke; 15 mg bolus + infusion for STEMI
Tenecteplase (TNK)Fibrin-specificSingle weight-based IV bolus; STEMI use
Reteplase (rPA)Fibrin-specificDouble-bolus regimen; STEMI use
StreptokinaseNon-fibrin-specificAntigenic (cannot repeat within 1 year); 1.5 MU IV over 1h

D-dimer — The Marker

  • D-dimer is an epitope created by Factor XIIIa action on cross-linked fibrin, then cleaved by plasmin
  • Elevated in: DVT, PE, DIC, recent surgery, pregnancy
  • High sensitivity, low specificity → excellent for ruling out PE/DVT
— Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine, 7th Ed. | Basic Medical Biochemistry, 6th Ed. | Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 22nd Ed.
This is a shared conversation. Sign in to Orris to start your own chat.