How would MR-guided focused ultrasound transform the treatment of stroke and heart disease?
Vibrations produced at lower energy levels by MR-guided focused ultrasound potentially could be used to dissolve blood clots in the case of an ischemic stroke or heart attack, restoring blood flow and minimizing or even eliminating the destruction of healthy tissue. This technology may potentially be used to treat cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation by destroying the tissue that is sending out abnormal electrical impulses. This tissue is currently destroyed using radio frequency technology.
