Application of ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction in Thrombus therapy

Thrombosis and its associated disorders remain critical global health threats, often causing acute organ injury and chronic complications that impair long-term prognosis. Despite clinical advances, current therapies face significant limitations, necessitating safer and more effective interventions. Ultrasound-Targeted Microbubble Destruction (UTMD) has emerged as a promising innovation, utilizing microbubble cavitation to facilitate localized drug delivery. By leveraging both stable and inertial cavitation, UTMD disrupts thrombus architecture and enhances the penetration of thrombolytic agents, thereby reducing required dosages and mitigating systemic toxicity. This review summarizes the microbubble characteristics and ultrasound parameters essential to UTMD, alongside its preclinical applications in thrombolysis. While clinical translation is currently hindered by challenges in stability, targeting precision, and biocompatibility, future research focusing on thrombus-specific targets, multimodal imaging, and optimized material design will be vital for the clinical adoption of UTMD.