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. 1998 Dec;82(12):1438–1440. doi: 10.1136/bjo.82.12.1438

Ultrasound enhanced thrombolysis in experimental retinal vein occlusion in the rabbit

J Larsson 1, J Carlson 1, S Olsson 1
PMCID: PMC1722462  PMID: 9930279

Abstract

AIMS—To investigate if it was possible to lower the dose of streptokinase and maintain an effective thrombolysis by adding pulsed low energy ultrasound.
 Methods—53 retinal veins in 27 rabbits were occluded by rose bengal enhanced laser treatment. Six rabbits were treated with streptokinase (50 000 IU/kg), 10 rabbits were treated with a low dose of streptokinase (25 000 IU/kg), and 11 rabbits were treated with a low dose of streptokinase (25 000 IU/kg) and pulsed ultrasound during 1 hour. Fluorescein angiography was performed immediately before the thrombolytic treatment and after 12 hours.
RESULTS—In the group treated with streptokinase (50 000 IU/kg) all vessels were open. In the group that was given streptokinase (25 000 IU/kg), 21% of the vessels were open. In the group that was treated with streptokinase (25 000 IU/kg) and ultrasound, 64% of the vessels were open. The difference between groups 2 and 3 is statistically significant (p= 0.011)
CONCLUSION—Adding pulsed low energy ultrasound makes it possible to lower the dose of streptokinase while maintaining a good thrombolytic effect.

 Keywords: retinal vein occlusion; ultrasound; thrombolytic treatment; streptokinase

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Figure 1  .

Figure 1  

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Theses fluorescein angiograms show an eye from group 3 that had been treated with both streptokinase and ultrasound. (A) The angiogram 30 minutes after the laser treatment shows that the vein is totally occluded peripheral to the thrombus. There is fluorescein in that part of the vein that is central to the thrombus, because of small veins that empty in the central part of the vein. (B) The angiogram 12 hours after the treatment shows that the vessel is open. Leakage from the retina of the fluorescein is noted around the place where the laser treatment had been performed.

Selected References

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