What is the term for the process by which a thrombus is broken down through enzyme activity?

The correct term for the process by which a thrombus is broken down through enzyme activity is thrombolysis. This is a biochemical process involving the dissolution of a blood clot (thrombus) that obstructs a blood vessel, primarily facilitated by the action of enzymes such as plasminogen and plasmin. These enzymes help to break down fibrin, a key protein that stabilizes the clot.

Thrombolysis is a critical process in the management of conditions like heart attacks and strokes, where the rapid breakdown of a thrombus can restore blood flow to affected areas, thereby preventing further tissue damage.

In contrast, the other terms refer to different processes. Digestion generally pertains to the breakdown of food in the gastrointestinal tract, not related to thrombus resolution. Infarction refers to tissue death due to a lack of blood supply, which can occur as a result of a thrombus but is not the process of breaking it down. Embolization describes the obstruction of a blood vessel by an embolus, which may lead to ischemia or infarction, but does not involve the breakdown of a clot.