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The in vitro interaction of rt-PA with the coagulation and fibrinolytic system was investigated. After addition of rt-PA to citrated plasma prolonged clotting times for prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time, decreased activities of individual clotting factors and decreases of alpha 2-antiplasmin, plasminogen and fibrinogen were measured. The alterations were dependent on incubation times and rt-PA concentrations and were mainly observed at rt-PA concentrations exceeding therapeutic levels. These in vitro phenomena could be prevented to different degrees using various inhibitors. Because of interferences with some fibrinolytic and coagulation assays aprotinin was only of limited utility as an inhibitor. PPACK lengthened clotting time assays based on generation of endogenous thrombin, but did not affect fibrinolytic assays. The most versatile inhibitor was a specific anti-rt-PA antibody which enabled correct measurements of all fibrinolytic and most coagulation assays. It is concluded that high rt-PA levels in samples taken from patients during fibrinolytic therapy induce in vitro artefacts which can be prevented by the use of suitable inhibitors. In 8 healthy male volunteers aged 32 +/- 7 years pharmacokinetic investigations were done. After infusion of 0.25 mg rt-PA/kg bw mean maximal plasma levels were 970 +/- 130 ng/ml. The elimination of rt-PA from plasma was fitted to a two compartment model and was characterized by two half lives of t1/2 alpha = 3.3 and t1/2 beta = 26 minutes.