title: Ultrasound techniques for drug delivery in cardiovascular medicine.
abstract: In this review, we will give a critical update of published studies using ultrasound for targeted therapeutic use. We will briefly discuss the interaction mechanisms and their effects in non-invasive delivery of therapeutic agents. Moreover, the mechanisms by which ultrasonic contrast agents facilitate the delivery of drugs and genes into tissue will be discussed, together with recent applications and perspectives of targeted-microbubbles in cardiovascular medicine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Via Diostisalvi, 2, 56126 Pisa, Italy. llandini@ifc.cnr.it
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Landini
authors.forename: Maria Filomena
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Santarelli
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Landini
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Positano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003287:Contrast Media; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D005119:Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D045423:Microbubbles; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D003287:Contrast Media