In vitro microscopic imaging of enhanced thrombolysis with 120-kHz ultrasound in a human clot model.
Substantial enhancement of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) thrombolysis can be achieved with ultrasound, suggesting its use as an adjunctive treatment in thrombolytic therapy for stroke. A microscopic visualization method was used to measure the lysis of human whole-blood clots treated with human fresh frozen plasma (HFFP), rt-PA, and 120-kHz ultrasound for 30 min at T = 37 ° C. The clot-plasma interface was imaged using an inverted optical microscope and the thrombolytic front analyzed as a function of time. Ultrasound treatment significantly enhanced the mean lytic rate from 0.5 to 3.4 μm/min (a 580% change) compared with rt-PA treatment alone.
Cheng
Jason Y
JY
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0769  jason.cheng@uc.edu.
Shaw
George J
GJ
Holland
Christy K
CK