Swift sonic thrombolysisreduces risk of bleeding

A new endovascular sonic lysis system reduces the risk of hemorrhage by dissolving clots faster than conventional catheter thrombolysis or mechanically assisted thrombectomy devices.

Dr. Constantino Peña, an interventional radiologist at the Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute in Miami, showed how the procedure works during a live televised case demonstration at the 2009 International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy. A 74- year-old patient with a blocked leg artery underwent ultrasound-enhanced thrombolysis with a tenecteplase/heparin infusion.The procedure required only half the usual thrombolytic dose and ended with a dissolved clot 12 hours later. Other techniques need at least 24 hours to be effective, which heightens bleeding risks associated with thrombolytics. BCVI specialists have performed the procedure on more than 100 patients using this technique, Peña said.