title: Evaluation of ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis using custom liposomes in a model of retinal vein occlusion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the potential efficacy of ultrasound (US) assisted by custom liposome (CLP) destruction as an innovative thrombolytic tool for the treatment of retinal vein occlusion (RVO).
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental RVO was induced in the right eyes of 40 rabbits using laser photothrombosis; the US experiment took place 48 hours later. Rabbits were randomly divided into four equal groups: US+CLP group, US+saline group, CLP+sham US group, and no treatment group. The latter three groups acted as controls. Fundus fluorescein angiography and Doppler US were used to evaluate retinal blood flow.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CLP-assisted US thrombolysis resulted in restoration of flow in seven rabbits (70%). None of the control groups showed significant restoration of retinal venous blood flow.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  US-assisted thrombolysis using liposomes resulted in a statistically significant reperfusion of retinal vessels in the rabbit experimental model of RVO. This approach might be promising in the treatment of RVO in humans. Further studies are needed to evaluate this approach in patients with RVO. Ultrasound assisted thrombolysis can be an innovative tool in management of retinal vein occlusion.
authors.affiliation: Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
authors.forename: Walid F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Abdallah
authors.forename: Hitenkumar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Edward G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Diniz
authors.forename: Gerald J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Chader
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Humayun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D008081:Liposomes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008863:Microspheres; D011817:Rabbits; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D015424:Reperfusion; D012169:Retinal Vein / Q000502:physiology; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012395:Rose Bengal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D008081:Liposomes; D012395:Rose Bengal