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Ultrasound increases flow through fibrin gels
F Siddiqi1, A Blinc, J Braaten
1Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, New York 14642, USA.
Thrombosis and Haemostasis
|March 1, 1995
Summary
Ultrasound significantly enhances fluid permeation through fibrin gels by increasing flow by up to 29%. This ultrasound-induced increase in permeation may explain accelerated fibrinolysis in thrombosis treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Ultrasound (US) is known to accelerate fibrinolysis, the breakdown of blood clots.
- The transport of fibrinolytic enzymes into clots via permeation is crucial for effective clot lysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of ultrasound on fluid permeation through fibrin gels in vitro.
- To determine if enhanced permeation contributes to ultrasound-accelerated fibrinolysis.
Main Methods:
- Purified fibrin gels were prepared in plastic tubes.
- Pressure-mediated fluid permeation rates were measured before and after ultrasound exposure (1 MHz, 2 W/cm², 5 ms on/off cycle).
- Ultrasound intensity and fluid degassing effects on permeation were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Ultrasound exposure significantly increased fluid flow through fibrin gels by 29.0 ± 4.2% (p = .005).
- The flow increase was intensity-dependent, ranging from 17.0% to 30.1% across tested intensities.
- Degassing the fluid significantly reduced the ultrasound-induced permeation increase, suggesting a role for cavitation.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasound exposure enhances pressure-mediated permeation in fibrin gels.
- This effect is likely mediated by cavitation-induced structural changes within the fibrin gel.
- Increased permeation may be a key mechanism underlying ultrasound-accelerated fibrinolysis in thrombosis.