Does tpa have any effect on biofilm? I know biofilm is composed of bacteria with a protein/carbohydrate film - but I have heard that using TPA has some effect on biofilm - not sure if this is accurate as tpa works on blood clots through conversion of plasminogen to plasmin which then breaks down fibrin in a clot.
Well, yes and no. No there is no direct effect on "dissolving" (for lack of a better word) biofilm. However, fibrin and biofilm are comingled into one layer. So dissolving the fibrin will free the biofilm. This is the reason for instructions to always aspirate from the catheter before flushing after the tPA has been in the lumen. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
126 Main Street, PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861