Catheter-delivered therapeutic ultrasound angioplasty is a new technique for use in the treatment of obstructive vascular disease. The treatment differs from balloon angioplasty in that it has been shown experimentally to cause disintegration of calcific and fibrotic atherosclerotic plaques, thrombus dissolution and arterial vasodilation. In contrast to laser technology, ultrasound systems are relatively inexpensive and simple to use and maintain. In the clinical trials detailed in this text, ultrasound angioplasty has been shown to be feasible and safe. Ultrasound Angioplasty is a comprehensive text, addressing the theoretical, experimental and clinical issues. The international contributions reflect the excitement, interest, spirit and cooperation in the research and development of therapeutic ultrasound.

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Preface; R.J. Siegel. Foreword; R.K. Myler. 1. Basic physics of low frequency therapeutic ultrasound; W.L. Nyborg. 2. Sonochemistry: the uses of ultrasound in chemistry and related disciplines; T. Mason. 3. Ultrasound bioeffects, mechanisms, and safety; R. Meltzer, et al. 4. Ultrasound angioplasty - experimental studies; R.J. Siegel, et al. 5. In vitro experiments using ultrasound for plaque ablation; A. Ernst. 6. Ultrasound energy for enhancement of fibrinolysis as well as drug delivery with special emphasis on the use of a transducer tipped ultrasound system; K. Tachibana, S. Tachibana. 7. High intensity, low frequency catheter delivered ultrasound for thrombus dissolution; R.J. Siegel, et al. 8. Ultrasound angioplasty using the Angiosonics system; Y. Agmon, et al. 9. Therapeutic ultrasound - clinical peripheral vascular experience; P. Gaines, et al. 10. Percutaneous transluminal ultrasonic angioplasty: clinical report of ultrasound plaque ablation in totally occluded peripheral arteries; C. Monteverde-Grether, et al. 11. Ultrasonic endarterectomy; A. LaRosa, et al. 12. Ultrasonic coronary angioplasty during coronary artery bypass grafting: initial clinical experience; D. Eccleston. 13. Therapeutic ultrasound peripheral and coronary angioplasty using the Angioson system; G. Drobinski, et al. 14. Technical aspects of a therapeutic intravascular ultrasound angioplasty system; H. Nita, R.J. Siegel. 15. Therapeutic coronary ultrasound angioplasty in patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease; C.Hamm, et al. 16. Intravascular ultrasound imaging after coronary ultrasound ablation; D. Koschyk, et al. 17. Therapeutic ultrasound in percutaneous coronary angioplasty &endash; Sheffield experience; D.C. Cumberland, et al.