Therapeutic Use of Ultrasound in Acute Coronary Artery Disease

In acute coronary artery disease, pre-clinical studies have indicated that, during a continuous infusion of intravenous perfluorocarbon containing microbubbles, the ultrasonic power delivered from a diagnostic ultrasound transducer is capable of restoring microcirculatory flow and improving epicardial recanalization rates obtained by conventional therapy, a process known by Sonothrombolysis. The investigators proposed to examine the feasibility, safety and efficacy of such an ultrasound guided approach in 100 patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).