[Therapeutic ultrasound of acute cerebral artery occlusion]

Ultrasound-accelerated recanalisation of acute arterial occlusion, referred to as sonothrombolysis, represents a novel therapeutic strategy in acute stroke treatment. Different clinical and experimental studies document synergistic effects between ultrasound and fibrinolytic agents for dissolving blood clots. The therapeutic application of ultrasound without a fibrinolytic drug may improve recanalisation and outcome in patients with contraindications to fibrinolysis. Investigators have shown that the combination with echo contrast agents further improves the thrombolytic potential of ultrasound. This work summarizes the current clinical and experimental knowledge on this therapeutic stroke concept.