查看文章

There is a need to improve the efficacy and safety of catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) for thrombo-occlusive diseases, and ultrasound-assisted CDT (USAT) is a promising approach. We tested if thrombolysis efficacy of USAT can be improved by adding gaseous microbubbles (MB). We developed an in vitro dynamic overflow model for iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis, and added MB to an USAT system with ultrasound energy and dose of tissue plasminogen activator according to clinical practice. A total of 64 clots (mean baseline weight of 8.23 ± 1.12 g, generated from citrated human whole blood from 7 healthy male volunteers) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 study protocols of 30 minutes' duration: negative control, CDT, USAT, and USAT + MB.

Thrombolysis efficacy was assessed by measuring the change in D-dimer levels in the overflow liquid and the percentage of clot weight reduction. Compared …