Sono-lysis is a new therapeutic procedure for arterial recanalization. The aim of the study was to confirm the safety and efficacy of intravascular sono-lysis using EKOS system with 3F microcatheter EkoSonic and 2.05–2.35 MHz ultrasound frequencies.
Methods
Nine patients admitted to the stroke unit with acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) or basilar artery (BA) occlusion were enrolled to the study. Treatment using EKOS system started within 8 h after stroke onset. Neurological deficit on admission (using NIHSS), after 24 h and after 7 days, MCA/BA recanalization at the end of intervention, occurrence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH), and 3-month clinical outcome (using Modified Rankin score – mRS) were evaluated.
Results
Nine patients were included in the pilot study (6 males, 3 females; age 51–80, mean 65 ± 10.4 years) with NIHSS 10–33 (median 19.0) points on admission. Five patients suffered from MCA occlusion, 4 patients from BA occlusion. Complete/partial recanalization at the end of EKOS treatment was achieved in 3 (33%)/4 (44%) patients, resp. Median NIHSS values at the end of EKOS treatment/24 h/7 days after stroke onset were 17.0/12.0/6.0 points, resp. No SICH was detected on control computed tomography. Four (44%) patients were independent at 3 months (mRS 0–3); median mRS was 4.
Conclusions
According to the results of the presented pilot study, EKOS system seems to be a new treatment option for acute stroke patients.
