In late spring, Central Texas Medical Center became the first hospital in the region to perform a procedure that uses ultrasound waves to break up blood clots.

During the EKOS Acoustic Pulse Thrombolysis procedure, a catheter is guided to a blood clot, where it releases an acoustic pulse that makes the clot more receptive to medication known as a thrombolytics.

“It’s a pretty revolutionary device,” CTMC Interventional Cardiologist Anthony Cedrone said. “This catheter actually breaks up the blood clots and then delivers a blood-thinning medication directly into the blood clot.”

Previously, patients treated for blood clots had to take medication orally.

“It’s a pretty revolutionary device. This catheter actually breaks up the blood clots and then delivers a blood-thinning medication directly into the blood clot.”

—CTMC Interventional Cardiologist Anthony Cedrone

The three conditions EKOS treats are pulmonary embolisms, peripheral arterial occlusions and deep-vein thrombosis, all of which are associated with blood clots. Typically, these issues are treated with traditional blood thinners.

Cedrone said the EKOS treatment generally leads to better outcomes for patients.

One San Marcos woman has received the EKOS treatment so far, and Cedrone said it went well. Blood clots are a common problem in San Marcos, and being able to treat them locally is good for everyone, he said.

“I think any community that’s growing such as San Marcos is should be able to take care of their sickest patients right here at home,” Cedrone said.