Acceleration of thrombolysis with ultrasound through the cranium in a flow model

Abstract Thrombolysis is an efficient therapy for hyperacute stroke within a limited time window. Neurological outcome depends on the recanalization time of the occluded vessel. Nonthermal effects of low-frequency ultrasound (US) accelerate enzymatic fibrinolysis in vitro . We examined the effects of transcranially applied US on recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA)-mediated thrombolysis in a flow model in vitro . Pure fibrin clots were placed in a continuous-pressure flow model and treated with rt-PA during 1-MHz US exposure (0.5 W/cm 2 ; spatial peak, temporal peak intensity). Transcranial and direct US application in combination with rt-PA significantly ( p