title: Noninvasive extracorporeal thrombolysis using electrical discharge-induced shock waves: in vitro experiments.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Many thrombectomy approaches have been developed for the treatment of venous thrombosis; however, no reference standard exists at this time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the transcutaneous application of electrical discharge-induced shock waves for thrombolysis in an in vitro model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Shock waves were applied on a thrombus positioned in a plasma-containing silicon tube using 2 different energy flux densities (0.53 and 2.26 mJ/mm). Depending upon the specific experiment, the thrombus was slightly moved to mimic pulsatory motions or/and additional Actilyse was added. Plasma samples were taken to determine the d-dimers before and after the application of shock waves.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Energy of 0.53 mJ/mm was insufficient for thrombolysis whereas the energy of 2.26 mJ/mm yielded a removal rate of up to 76.4% when the thrombus was slightly moved during the procedure. The amount of d-dimers correlated well with the addition of Actilyse. However, this did not affect the removal rate significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results demonstrate the potential of electrical discharge-induced shock waves for thrombolysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital, University of Technology (RWTH), Aachen, Germany. katoh@rad.rwth-aachen.de
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Katoh
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Haage
authors.forename: Joachim G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Pfeffer
authors.forename: Joachim E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Wildberger
authors.forename: Rolf W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Günther
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tacke
mesh_terms: D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000628:therapy*; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator