Effect of ultrasound on tissue-type plasminogen activator-induced thrombolysis.

Abstract

Exposure of whole blood clots in vitro to intermittent ultrasound combined with t-PA caused a significant enhancement of thrombolysis compared with t-PA alone. Intermittent ultrasound also showed a trend toward enhancement of t-PA-induced clot lysis in an animal thrombosis model. These data suggest that noninvasive intermittent ultrasound may be a useful adjunct to thrombolytic therapy.