Focused Ultrasound Therapy
Focused ultrasound is a rapidly evolving, noninvasive, therapeutic technology with the potential to improve the quality of life and decrease the cost of care for patients with coarctation of the aorta. This novel technology focuses beams of ultrasound energy precisely and accurately on targets deep in the body without damaging surrounding normal tissue.
How it Works
Focused ultrasound could be used to precisely ablate (either mechanically or thermally) the extra tissue in the aortic wall (the coarctation). This will reduce the size to lessen the obstruction and allow better flow of the blood past the area. While early results are promising, there is still much to be done before this technology will be widely available.
Advantages
The primary options for treatment of coarctation of the aorta include medication and invasive surgery.
For certain patients, focused ultrasound could provide a noninvasive alternative to surgery with less risk of complications – such as surgical wound healing or infection – at a lower cost. Focused ultrasound can also reach the desired target without damaging surrounding tissue, and it can be repeated, if necessary.
Clinical Trials
At the present time, there are no clinical trials recruiting patients for focused ultrasound treatment for coarctation of the aorta.
Regulatory Approval and Reimbursement
Focused ultrasound treatment for coarctation of the aorta is not yet approved by regulatory bodies or covered by medical insurance companies.
Notable Papers
Development of an ex vivo porcine model of coarctation of the aorta: Possible treatment applications with MR-guided HIFU using boiling histotripsy. Presentation by Sergio Vegas Salas.
Click here for additional references from PubMed.
