Ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cardiovascular Research
• Interventional Radiology

Background:

• Current thrombolytic therapy for clot lysis is associated with risks like stroke, bleeding, and embolization.
• Prolonged therapy durations for peripheral arterial and graft occlusions can lead to further ischemia and tissue loss, necessitating intensive monitoring.
• There is a need to accelerate clot lysis to minimize procedural risks and patient morbidity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of combining intravascular ultrasound with thrombolytic agents to enhance the rate of clot lysis.
• To evaluate the potential of ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis in accelerating treatment and reducing complications.

Main Methods:

• In-vitro thrombolysis of fresh human blood clots was performed using urokinase.
• Continuous wave, 20-KHz ultrasound at power levels of 1-2 watts was applied in conjunction with urokinase.
• Clot lysis was quantified by measuring the percentage weight loss.

Main Results:

• Both ultrasound and urokinase alone demonstrated clot lysis.
• A significant increase in thrombolysis was observed when 20-KHz ultrasound at 1.0-1.5 watts was used with 5,000 units of urokinase.
• The combination therapy showed greater clot lysis compared to either agent alone.

Conclusions:

• In-vitro results indicate that combining 20-KHz ultrasound energy with urokinase enhances thrombolysis.
• Ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis at modest power levels significantly increases clot lysis compared to urokinase alone.
• This combination therapy holds promise for accelerating thrombolysis and potentially reducing treatment-related complications.