Ultrasound as treatment for coronary artery disease

Therapeutic ultrasound is already established in the treatment of diverse s urgical conditions, such as cataract, liver cancer, and stones, without dan ger to healthy tissue. Clinical trials of catheter-delivered high energy, l ow frequency (kHz) ultrasound undertaken over the last decade have demonstr ated the safety of ultrasound in the treatment of peripheral and coronary a rtery disease, and have identified a number of indications in which it may be particularly advantageous. The dispersal of thrombus, the recanalization of chronic total occlusions, and the favorable modification of the distens ibility of small, atherosclerotic vessels are three promising areas. The au thors review developments in these fields.