Thermochemical Micro-Explosion for Prompt Thrombolysis via Proximal Injection of Liquid Alkali Metal

Thrombotic vascular diseases contribute to significant global mortality, yet current therapeutic strategies face persistent challenges, including bleeding risks, suboptimal efficiency, and procedural complexity. Here, we report a micro-explosive thermochemical thrombolysis (METCT) therapy via proximal injection of liquid alkali metal (LAM) encapsulated in dimethyl silicone (LAM@oil), which enables prompt, efficient, and safe vascular recanalization within an ultrafast timeframe (< 90 s). This LAM@oil system effectively disrupts thrombus tissue through a synergistic triple-action mechanism: mechanical micro-explosions forces, alkaline ablation due to highly localized exothermic chemical reactions, and thermal thrombolysis mediated by elevated temperature. Upon thrombolysis completion, the non-toxic reaction byproducts (sodium and potassium ions) exhibit physiologically biocompatible and metabolizable effects. Critically, the LAM@oil demonstrates significantly higher thrombolytic efficacy compared to clinically available thrombolytic drugs (residual thrombus area percent 10.87% ± 7.16% for LAM@oil vs. 80.86% ± 13.32% for urokinase), with no associated bleeding risks. This strategy opens a byproduct-green, cost-effective, and high-efficiency alternative to conventional thrombolytics, holding big potential for clinical translation in acute thrombosis management.