In vitro thrombolysis enhanced by standing and travelling ultrasound wave fields

Ultrasound Med Biol. 2002 Sep;28(9):1181-7. doi: 10.1016/s0301-5629(02)00563-x.

Abstract

Success of thrombolytic therapy depends on penetration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) into clots. Ultrasound (US) of therapeutic quality accelerates thrombolysis in vitro. As yet, only the effects of travelling acoustic waves on thrombolysis have been investigated, and the impact of standing acoustic waves has been neglected. In the present study, we examined the effects of standing and travelling US wave fields applied continuously for 1 h (frequency 2 MHz, acoustic intensity 1.2 W/cm(2)) on thrombolysis enhancement by measuring clot weight reduction and concentration of fibrin degradation product D-dimer (FDP-DD) produced from clots subjected to rt-PA. The level of FDP-DD was 1.8 times greater in travelling than in standing acoustic waves. Thrombolysis enhancement was 46.0 +/- 20.8% in standing and 116.8 +/- 23.1% in travelling acoustic waves. Travelling waves enhanced thrombolysis significantly more (p < 0.0001) than did standing waves.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Culture Techniques
  • Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / analysis
  • Humans
  • Recombinant Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Sonication*
  • Thrombolytic Therapy / methods*
  • Thrombosis / blood
  • Thrombosis / therapy*
  • Tissue Plasminogen Activator / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • fibrin fragment D
  • Tissue Plasminogen Activator