Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026
07:50
An In vitro System to Gauge the Thrombolytic Efficacy of Histotripsy and a Lytic Drug
Published on: June 4, 2021
Prostate histotripsy in an anticoagulated model.
Jeffery C Wheat1, Timothy L Hall, Christopher R Hempel
1Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5330, USA.
Urology
|November 26, 2009
Summary
Histotripsy, a noninvasive ultrasound therapy, demonstrated minimal bleeding in anticoagulated canine prostates. This finding warrants further investigation into the nonthermal hemostasis mechanisms of this innovative tissue ablation technique.
Area of Science:
- Medical Devices
- Ultrasound Technology
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Histotripsy is a noninvasive ultrasound therapy that causes tissue fractionation via cavitation.
- Initial canine studies of prostate ablation using histotripsy showed minimal hematuria.
- Further investigation is needed to understand the hemostatic properties of histotripsy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore minimal bleeding after histotripsy in anticoagulated canines.
- To perform extensive prostate histotripsy treatments in anticoagulated canines.
- To investigate the phenomenon of minimal bleeding post-histotripsy.
Main Methods:
- Histotripsy was performed on 9 anticoagulated canine subjects using a 750 kHz therapeutic ultrasound transducer.
- Canines were pretreated with oral warfarin for 3-5 days.
- Prostate tissue was harvested 7-28 days post-treatment for histological analysis; serum hemoglobin and International Normalization Ratio were measured.
Main Results:
- Mean treatment International Normalization Ratio was 4.6, indicating therapeutic to supratherapeutic anticoagulation.
- No clinically significant changes in hemoglobin were observed.
- Histology confirmed a large ablation cavity; urine was clear within 2 days, with no blood clots observed.
Conclusions:
- Histotripsy resulted in minimal bleeding in anticoagulated canine prostates, despite significant tissue fractionation.
- These findings suggest a potential nonthermal hemostasis mechanism associated with histotripsy.
- Further research is indicated to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of hemostasis during histotripsy.
