Lecithin Coated Microbubbles Enhanced Sonothrombolysis of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Abstract

Microbubble-mediated sonothrombolysis is a promising approach for thrombus treatment. The objective of this in-vitro study was to examine the effectiveness of in vitro sonothrombolysis utilizing several combinations, including parameters of Diagnostic Ultrasounds, microbubbles, and thrombolytic drugs (Streptokinase). The thin-film hydration approach was used for the synthesis of lecithin micro-bubbles consisting of Perflurohexane core. The microbubbles synthesis was confirmed by the FTIR and SEM examination. Human whole-blood clots were synthesized exposed to different combinations of ultrasound parameters, microbubbles, and thrombolytic treatments. Sonothrombolysis was performed at diagnostic frequencies 3.5 MHz and 7 MHz at mechanical index (0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2) at the various combination of study groups. Thrombolysis efficacy was assessed by measuring clot weight changes during 30-min US exposure, by recording the mean gray intensity from the US images of the clot by computer software IMAGE J, and spectrophotometric quantification of the hemoglobin in the effluents that were collected from a blood clot after 30minutes exposure of US. The most efficient clot lysis was obtained at US frequency 7 MHz and mechanical index of 1.2 in combination with drug-loaded microbubbles (US+Drug loaded MB). This in vitro study showed the potential use of ultrasound in combination with drug and microbubble and can further evaluate the sonothrombolysis at diagnostic Ultrasound parameters in the in vivo studies as well