Aims - To investigate if it was possible to lower the dose of streptokinase
and maintain an effective thrombolysis by adding pulsed low energy ultraso
und.
Methods - 53 retinal veins in 27 rabbits were occluded by rose bengal enhan
ced laser treatment. Six rabbits were treated with streptokinase (50000 IU/
kg), 10 rabbits were treated with a low dose of streptokinase (25000 IU/kg)
, and 11 rabbits were treated with a low dose of streptokinase (25000 IU/kg
) and pulsed ultrasound during 1 hour, Fluorescein angiography was performe
d immediately before the thrombolytic treatment and after 12 hours.
Results - In the group treated with streptokinase (50000 IU/kg) all vessels
were open. In the group that was given streptokinase (25000 IU/kg), 21% of
the vessels were open. In the group that was treated with streptokinase (2
5000 IU/kg) and ultrasound, 64% of the vessels were open. The difference be
tween 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.