Treatment of coronary micro-circulation thrombus by dodecafluoropentane acoustic vaporizable nano-droplet with ultrasound irradiation: an in vitro experimental study

Abstract

Objective To explore the clinical value of a new tactic with novel dodecafluoropentane (C5F12, DDFP) acoustic vaporizable nano-droplets for the therapy of coronary micro-circulation thrombolysis. Methods Group A was poly butylene succinate buffer solution as blank control; group B was SonoVue microbubbles; group C was DDFP acoustic vaporizable nano-droplets, which were produced with emulsion process by ultrasonic oscillation instrument and rotary evaporator. The size of the nano-droplet was tested by Malvern laser particle size detector and observed with fluorescence microscope. The stability and efficiency of cavitation effect of group C for thrombolysis were tested in an in-vitro artificial vascular system with arterial thrombus model, comparing with group A and B. Weights and pathological sections of the inserted thrombus before and after the thrombolysis in these groups were compared for the thrombolytic efficiency. Results The average size of DDFP nano-droplets were (424.7±30.2)nm. More than 75% of the nano-droplets were ranged from 300-750 nm. The fluorescence microscope showed the DDFP nano-droplets were uniformed round-shaped and stable-structured with favorable dispersity; the nano-droplets had gradually turned into over 3 μm microbubbles under ultrasound irradiation. The thrombus weight loss after thrombolysis in group C [(199.0±35.8)mg, (32.1±4.4)%] was significantly larger than those in group A [(30.2±17.8)mg, (5.0±2.4)%] and B [ (72.6±20.7)mg, (12.7±2.8)%] (all P<0.01). Conclusions DDFP vaporizable nano-droplets with ultrasound irradiation is effective for thrombus elimination in coronary micro-circulation through lasting and stable cavitation effect. Key words: Sonication; Vaporizable nano-droplet; Thromboembolism; Thrombolytic therapy