Using ultrasound therapy to improve blood flow and save heart muscle during heart attack

Dr Prajith Jeyaprakash, University of Sydney

2021 PhD Scholarship

Years funded: 2022-2024

The current standard of care for life-threatening heart attacks (STEMI, ST elevation myocardial infarction) uses stents to open large heart arteries blocked with blood clot. However, in half of the patients who undergo successful stent procedures, clots still block micro-vessels (Microvascular Obstruction, MVO), leading to a poorer prognosis. To date, no intervention has successfully improved MVO.

Sonothrombolysis (STL) is the repurposing of an existing diagnostic tool to treat STEMI. It uses high power ultrasound (sono) to break (lysis) micro-vessel clot (thrombo) whilst infusing a contrast agent. Previous animal studies and a recent single centre human study showed that STL salvaged more heart muscle by reducing MVO, however larger human trials are needed to prove safety and efficacy.

Thus, the research team led by Dr. Jeyaprakash will conduct a trial assessing STL in STEMI across three Australian hospitals. It is anticipated that STL will reduce muscle damage and improve patient outcomes.

In the future, STL could be delivered in ambulances to treat STEMI early, reduce heart muscle damage, and ultimately save more lives.