Augmentation of ultrasound-induced clot disruption by nongas-filled microparticles

The augmentation of ultrasound-induced clot disruption by echocardiographic contrast microbubbles may be a direct mechanical erosive effect of the clot by the microparticles. To further assess this hypothesis, we evaluated the rate and extent of clot disruption by using external ultrasound and nongas-filled microparticles (HAEMACCEL and HAES). Human blood clots were used in this in vitro study. The percent clot reduction using the combination of ultrasound and microparticles was dose dependent and significantly higher than that with microparticles alone.