Ultrasound-Enhanced Thrombolysis

Abstract

Purpose: To report a single-center clinical experience with ultrasound-enhanced thrombolysis in the treatment of both arterial and venous thromboses. Methods: From January 2005 to June 2006, 33 patients (23 men; age range 39–90 years) with 36 occlusions were treated using ultrasound-enhanced thrombolytic therapy for acute and chronic arterial and venous occlusions. After diagnostic angiography, the occlusions were crossed with an appropriately sized Lysus infusion catheter for infusion of urokinase (80,000–120,000 IU/h). Results: Technical success and complete lysis was achieved in 96% of the arterial and 83% of the venous occlusions. Two patients with chronic occlusions (one superficial femoral artery and one iliac vein) were refractory to lytic therapy. Average time for complete lysis was 16.4 hours (range 3–25) for arterial occlusions and 21.2 hours (range 6–43) in patients with deep vein thrombosis. Conclusion: Successful clot lysis can be achieved with a high rate of success in a shorter time than conventional thrombolysis using ultrasound-enhanced thrombolysis in both acute and chronic arterial and venous thromboses.