Table 2.

Comparison of ECWT and HIFU: biomechanical effects and clinical applications

	Ultrasound parameters	Predominant biomechanical effects	Delivery	FDA-approved clinical applications	Potential cardiovascular applications
ECWT	High amplitude, separate pulses	Non-thermal (cavitation, streaming)	Linear, absorbed by tissue between transducer and target	Lithotripsy, plantar fasciitis, epicondylitis	Ischemic heart disease, peripheral arterial disease
HIFU	High frequency, continuous wave	Thermal (heating, liquefactive necrosis)	Focused, minimal off-target effects	Uterine fibroids, laparoscopic tissue ablation, venous and arterial thromboses	AF and VT ablation, ASD/VSD creation, AVN ablation, functional MR, peripheral vascular disease, ischemic heart disease