Preliminary Observations on the Spatial Correlation Between Short-Burst Microbubble Oscillations and Vascular Bioeffects

Hong Chen, Andrew A. Brayman, Andrew P. Evan, Thomas J. Matula

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

The objective of this preliminary study was to examine the spatial correlation between microbubble (MB)-induced vessel wall displacements and resultant microvascular bioeffects. MBs were injected into venules in ex vivo rat mesenteries and insonated by a single short ultrasound pulse with a center frequency of 1 MHz and peak negative pressures spanning the range of 1.5-5.6 MPa. MB and vessel dynamics were observed under ultra-high speed photomicrography. The tissue was examined by histology or transmission electron microscopy for vascular bioeffects. Image registration allowed for spatial correlation of MB-induced vessel wall motion to corresponding vascular bioeffects, if any. In cases in which damage was observed, the vessel wall had been pulled inward by more than 50% of the its initial radius. The observed damage was characterized by the separation of the endothelium from the vessel wall. Although the study is limited to a small number of observations, analytic statistical results suggest that vessel invagination comprises a principal mechanism for bioeffects in venules by microbubbles.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2151-2162
Number of pages12
JournalUltrasound in Medicine and Biology
Volume38
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2012

Keywords

  • High speed photomicrography
  • Microbubble dynamics
  • Microvessels
  • Ultrasound bioeffects
  • Ultrasound contrast agents
  • Ultrasound-induced vascular damage

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