Ultrasound helps provide rapid treatment of DVT

Nov 24 2008

Scientists in the United States have discovered that ultrasound waves help dissolve blood clots in deep vein thrombosis (DVT) faster than clot-busting drugs.

According to researchers at Emory University, as such clots are one of the main causes of both heart attacks and stroke, the quicker they are eliminated the better.

Dr. Karthikeshwar Kasirajan, an assistant professor of surgery at Emory University's School of Medicine says using ultrasound, along with traditional drugs to break up or dissolve blood clots, will help restore blood flow, prevent valve damage and also prevent the possibility of pulmonary embolism.

A DVT is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body, most commonly in the lower leg or thigh - a loose clot, called an embolus, can break off and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs and block the blood flow, causing the life-threatening condition pulmonary embolism - experts say every year, between 350,000 and 600,000 Americans develop one of these clots and at least 100,000 die as a result.

For the study the researchers treated 37 patients with the clot-dissolving drug called tPA (tissue plasminogen activator), while using ultrasound to loosen the proteins in their blood clots and send the drug into the clots faster.

It was discovered that of the 37, 16 had DVT and 21 had acute in-situ arterial thrombosis - all the patients with arterial thrombosis had their clots completely dissolved, and all but six of the DVT patients had theirs completely dissolved.

Four DVT patients had their clots partially dissolved and two saw no change and only one of the 37 had a complication (neck hematoma) - most of the 37 (83%) were subsequently treated with angioplasty and stent placement.

Being immobile for long periods of time, recent surgery, a fall or broken bone, pregnancy, a car crash, birth control pills or menopause hormones are all risk factors for DVT. The risk rises with age, especially over 65, and is more so amongst people who smoke or are obese.

The study was presented at the 4th annual VEITHsymposium in New York City where world-renowned vascular specialists introduce the latest advances, changing concepts in diagnosis and management, pressing controversies and new techniques.