0000000000161916
AUTHOR
Max Nedelmann
Low-Frequency Therapeutic Ultrasound with Varied Duty Cycle: Effects on the Ischemic Brain and the Inner Ear
Sonothrombolysis is a promising modality for acute stroke treatment. In vitro data suggest a duty cycle dependence of sonothrombolytic efficacy of low-frequency applications. The aim of our study was to examine its impact on safety issues in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion. Rats were exposed to transcranial 60-kHz ultrasound with varied duty cycles. To determine effects on the inner ear, the acoustic threshold was determined in additional healthy animals (acoustic evoked potentials). A short duty cycle (20%) resulted in significant adverse effects (ischemic volume, hemorrhage, functional outcome), which was not observed in longer duty cycle (80%). Continuous-wave insonation …
Involvement of Jugular Valve Insufficiency in Cerebral Venous Air Embolism
Background. Cerebral venous air entrapment is a rare finding on cranial computed tomography (CT) scan. Peripheral air embolism is discussed as a potential cause. However, the mechanism of retrograde passage through internal jugular valves and veins is unclear. Case Report. The case of a patient is reported, who had air entrapment in the left cavernous sinus. Prior to CT scanning, a peripheral intravenous line had been placed. Ultrasound revealed excessive insufficiency of the left internal jugular valve. To further study the mechanism of embolism, an echo contrast agent was injected into the cubital vein. A Valsalva maneuver resulted in retrograde transition of microbubbles across the insuf…
Low-frequency ultrasound induces nonenzymatic thrombolysis in vitro.
To evaluate whether ultrasound, applied over a distance of several centimeters and in the absence of thrombolytic agents, may have a thrombolytic effect on blood clots.Low-frequency (20 kHz) continuous wave ultrasound at different intensity levels (0.15-1.2 W/cm2) and exposure times (5, 10, and 20 minutes) was assessed for its potential to induce thrombolysis of fresh human blood clots. The ultrasound effect was also studied in combination with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator-mediated thrombolysis. Experiments were carried out in a flow model in degassed sodium phosphate buffer at 37 degrees C at a distance of 3 cm from the ultrasonic probe to the blood clots. Regardless of ul…
An educational multimedia campaign improves stroke knowledge and risk perception in different stroke risk groups.
Background and purpose: Stroke risk factor knowledge and individual risk perception are low in the general public. Our study aimed at identifying the educational effects of a multimedia campaign on stroke knowledge and risk perception in several subgroups at increased risk of stroke. Methods: Telephone surveys were administered in a random sample of 500 members of the general public, before and immediately after an intense 3 months educational campaign using various mass and print media. Results: A total of 32.7% of respondents considered themselves as being at risk of stroke before, and 41.9% (P < 0.01) after the intervention. Evaluation of stroke risk increased with number of appreciat…
Ultrasound-induced blood clot dissolution without a thrombolytic drug is more effective with lower frequencies.
<i>Background and Purpose:</i> Therapeutic ultrasound as stand-alone therapy or in combination with rt-PA has proven to be an effective measure for recanalisation of acute vessel occlusion in different in vitro and in vivo studies. Uncertainty still exists concerning the optimal frequency and intensity with regard to the thrombolytic efficacy of ultrasound. The purpose of this study was a direct comparison of different ultrasound frequencies, when otherwise using identical measurement settings and parameters. <i>Methods:</i> Ultrasound-induced dissolution of fresh human blood clots was studied in a flow system using low-frequency continuous wave ultrasound of 20, 40 …
Brain Edema and Intracerebral Necrosis Caused by Transcranial Low-Frequency 20-kHz Ultrasound
Background and Purpose— Ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis is a promising approach toward acute stroke treatment. In previous in vitro studies, we demonstrated enhanced thrombus destruction induced by 20-kHz ultrasound. However, little is known about biological interactions of low-frequency ultrasound with brain tissue. The aim of this in vivo MRI study was to assess safety aspects of transcranial low-frequency ultrasound in rats. Methods— The cranium of 33 male Wistar rats was sonificated for 20 minutes (20-kHz continuous wave). Power output was varied between 0 and 2.6 W/cm 2 . Tympanal and rectal temperature was monitored. Diffusion-weighted imaging and T2-weighted imaging was performe…
Analysis of Internal Jugular Vein Insufficiency—A Comparison of Two Ultrasound Methods
Abstract Jugular venous valve insufficiency is a contributing factor to different pathologic conditions. For assessment of insufficiency, two ultrasound techniques have been developed, that are based on very different methodology (direct Doppler assessment versus air contrast ultrasound venography [ACUV]). This study was conducted to compare these two methods to improve comparability of existing studies and diagnostic accuracy in future studies. The function of 40 valves was determined in 20 individuals during a Valsalva maneuver. For direct Doppler assessment, valvular competence was assessed on basis of Doppler recordings, following recently established criteria. Valvular insufficiency in…
Therapeutic Application of 20-kHz Transcranial Ultrasound in an Embolic Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Model in Rats
Background and Purpose— Therapeutic application of diagnostic ultrasound has been shown to improve recanalization rates in patients with acute cerebral vessel occlusion. There is experimental evidence that low-frequency ultrasound may be superior. This study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of low-frequency ultrasound in an embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion model in rats. A parameter setting was used that had not previously shown any side effects and interactions with healthy rat brain tissue. Methods— Male Wistar rats were submitted to middle cerebral artery clot embolism and transcranial treatment with 20-kHz continuous-wave ultrasound (0.2 W/cm 2 ), ei…
Detrimental Effects of 60 kHz Sonothrombolysis in Rats with Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion
Recent studies have raised concerns about the safety of low frequency ultrasound in transcranial therapeutic application in cerebral ischemia. This study was designed to evaluate safety aspects and potential deleterious effects of low frequency, 60 kHz ultrasound in treatment of experimental middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats. Forty-five male Wistar rats were submitted to either temporary (90 min; groups I and II) or permanent MCAO (groups III and IV) using the suture technique. All animals received recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) starting 90 min after the beginning of occlusion. Groups I and III were additionally treated with 60 kHz ultrasound (time average ac…
Ultraschallkontrastmittel Levovist ® steigert den thrombolytischen Effekt von niederfrequentem Ultraschall
Hintergrund: Die therapeutische Anwendung von Ultraschall zur Rekanalisation eines akuten thrombotischen oder embolischen Gefasverschlusses stellt eine vielversprechende Alternative bzw. Erganzung existierender Therapieoptionen dar. Neuere Studien belegen eine thrombolytische Effizienz von Ultraschall in alleiniger Anwendung und in Kombination mit rr-PA. Ziel dieser Studie war es, zu untersuchen, ob sich durch Zugabe des Ultraschallkontrastmittels Levovist® eine Steigerung der ultraschallinduzierten Thrombolyse erreichen lasst.
Cerebral embolic ischemia in rats: correlation of stroke severity and functional deficit as important outcome parameter.
The embolic MCA occlusion model in rats is used for recanalisation studies in acute stroke. In addition to the determination of lesion size, the assessment of functional outcome may improve the value of this model. Male Wistar rats were submitted to MCA clot embolism or sham surgery. In order to achieve a larger variety of lesion volume, 2 subgroups (each 7 animals) were subjected to differently sized emboli (30 and 40 mm). Follow-up period was 6 days. Outcome assessment consisted of a test battery including parallel bar crossing, observation of behaviour in an open field and an 8-arm maze and a neurological score with ten different sensorimotor and coordinative items. Animals were perfusio…