What does Ekos stand for?

Ekosonic Endovascular System (EKOS), a form of catheter-directed pharmacomechanical thrombolysis, has been used to treat submassive and massive pulmonary emboli.

What does the EKOS machine do?

The EKOS is an ultrasound machine that is used to break up blood clot(s) in a desired area of your body. It uses ultrasound waves and special clot dissolving medication that helps remove the clot(s).

What are the risks of EKOS?

Available literature suggests that EKOS could be associated with the reduction of right heart strain, reduction of PE recurrence, and improved quality of life. Described complications include bleeding, bruising, hematoma and rarely CNS hemorrhage.

How does EKOS catheter work?

How EKOS works. EKOS uses ultrasonic soundwaves and medications to dissolve blood clots. To perform this procedure, our highly skilled experts guide a catheter to the site of the blood clot. Clot-busting medicine is then released through the catheter.

What medication is used in Ekos?

The catheter will deliver special clot dissolving medicine called thrombolytics to help dissolve the clot. The device, called EKOS is a cutting-edge technology that uses an ultrasound to deliver very low doses of a clot-dissolving drug directly into the clot through a catheter.

When is Ekos indicated?

EKOS was the first interventional device indicated for the treatment of pulmonary embolism. EKOS is used for the infusion of physician-specified fluids, including thrombolytics, into the peripheral vasculature.

How long is Ekos therapy?

The EKOS catheter comes in working lengths of 106 and 135 cm with 0.035″ compatibility, and treatment zones of 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 40, and 50 cm.

Who is a candidate for Ekos?

If your vascular doctor at South Palm Cardiovascular Associates detects a blood clot such as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or Pulmonary Embolus, one may be a candidate for the state of the art catheter-based therapy to treat the problem.

Does Ekos reduce mortality?

The treatment group was found to have reduced hemodynamic decompensation and all-cause mortality at seven days in patients with submassive PE.

How long does EKOS procedure take?

The procedure takes 10 minutes after which the patient goes to ICU – 12 hours for a single pulmonary embolism and 24 hours for a patient with blood clots in both lungs. The procedure cuts the length of stay in half – two to three days on average.