Title

ULTrasound Accelerated ThrombolysIs of PulMonAry Embolism
Randomized, Controlled Study Comparing EKOS EkoSonic Ultrasound Accelerated Thrombolysis to Anticoagulation in the Treatment of Sub-massive Pulmonary Embolism
  • Phase

    Phase 3
  • Study Type

    Interventional
  • Intervention/Treatment

    heparin ...
  • Study Participants

    59
The ULTIMA study is intended to prove that in patients with pulmonary embolism and a right ventricular end diastolic diameter to left ventricular end diastolic diameter ratio ≥1 (RV/LV ratio) will benefit from treatment with ultrasound accelerated thrombolysis (rt-PA) as compared to unfractionated heparin anticoagulation. Specifically, at 24 hours the RV/LV ratio will be significantly reduced in the treatment arm compared to the control arm.
Study Started
Jul 31
2010
Primary Completion
Apr 30
2013
Study Completion
May 31
2013
Results Posted
Oct 18
2016
Estimate
Last Update
Jul 19
2021

Device EkoSonic Endovascular System

The EkoSonic Endovascular System will be used to deliver < 20 mg of rt-PA ( Actilyse) directly into the occlusive pulmonary thrombus.

Drug Unfractionated heparin

Intravenous unfractionated heparin used for anticoagulation treatment

Ultrasound accelerated thrombolysis Experimental

Patients in this arm will receive anti-coagulation (intravenous unfractionated heparin) plus the EkoSonic Endovascular System will be used to deliver a low dose <20mg rt-PA (Actilyse) directly into the occlusive pulmonary thrombus.

Intravenous unfractionated heparin Active Comparator

Patients in this arm will receive the standard of care: intravenous unfractionated heparin used as anti-coagulation treatment.

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients with acute PE symptoms < 14 days.
Filling defect by contrast-enhanced chest CT in at least one main or proximal lower lobe pulmonary artery
Right ventricular dysfunction confirmed by echocardiography where the RV/LV end diastolic diameter ratio is ≥ 1.0.

Exclusion Criteria:

Age less than 18 years or greater than 80 years
Index PE symptom duration > 14 days
Insufficient echocardiographic image quality in the apical or subcostal four-chamber view that prohibits the measurement of the right and left ventricular end-diastolic dimensions
Known significant bleeding risk
Administration of thrombolytic agents, e.g., tissue plasminogen activator, streptokinase, or urokinase, within the previous 4 days
Active bleeding
Known bleeding diathesis
Known coagulation disorder, platelet count < 100 000/mm3, or previous use of vitamin K antagonists with INR > 2.5
History of any intracranial or intraspinal surgery or trauma or intracranial/intraspinal bleed
Intracranial neoplasm, arteriovenous malformation, or aneurysm
Recent (< 3 months) GI bleeding.
Recent (< 3 months) internal eye surgery or hemorrhagic retinopathy; recent (< 10 days) major surgery, cataract surgery, trauma, CPR, obstetrical delivery, or other invasive procedure.
Allergy, hypersensitivity, or thrombocytopenia from heparin, rt-PA, or iodinated contrast, except for mild-moderate contrast allergies for which steroid pre-medication can be used.
Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 50 ml/min as calculated by the Cockroft formula.
Hemodynamic collapse at presentation defined as: need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation; or systolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg for at least 15 min, or drop of systolic blood pressure by at least 40 mm Hg for at least 15 min with signs of end organ hypoperfusion (cold extremities or low urinary output < 30 mL/h or mental confusion); or need for catecholamine administration to maintain adequate organ perfusion and a systolic blood pressure of > 90 mm Hg.
Severe hypertension on repeated readings (systolic > 180 mmHg or diastolic > 105 mmHg).
Pregnant, lactation or parturition within the previous 30 days (positive pregnancy test, women of childbearing age must be tested).
Participating in any other investigational drug or device study.
Life expectancy < 90 days.
Inability to comply with study assessments (e.g. due to geographic distance).
Previous enrollment in this study
Any other condition that the investigator feels would place the patient at increased risk if the investigational therapy is initiated.
Known right-to-left shunt, for example from large patent foramen ovale or atrial septal defect
Large (>10 mm) right atrial or right ventricular thrombus

Summary

Unfractionated Heparin (UFH) Alone

UFH + EkoSonic

All Events

Event Type Organ System Event Term Unfractionated Heparin (UFH) Alone UFH + EkoSonic

Reduction of RV/LV Ratio

Change in the end-diastolic RV/LV ratio from baseline to 24 hours by echocardiography.

Unfractionated Heparin (UFH) Alone

0.03
Ratio (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 0.16

Unfractionated Heprin + EkoSonic Procedure

0.3
Ratio (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 0.20

Major Bleeding and Intracranial Bleeding at 30 Days.

Bleeding will be classified as major if it is associated with a fall in the hemoglobin level of at least 2.0 g/dl, transfusion of ≥ 2 units of red blood cells, or involvement of a critical site (e.g., intracranial, intraspinal). To aid in evaluating the relationship of bleeding events to rt-PA administration, they will also be categorized by whether they occurred within 3 days after the initiation of thrombolytic therapy.

Ultrasound Accelerated Thrombolysis

Intravenous Unfractionated Heparin

Total

59
Participants

Age, Continuous

63.1
years (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 14.3

Sex: Female, Male

Overall Study

Unfractionated Heparin (UFH) Alone

Unfractionated Heparin (UFH) + EkoSonic Procedure