SONOlysis in Risk REduction of Symptomatic and Silent Brain infarCtions dUring Cardiac surgEry

The aim of the project is to demonstrate a fibrinolytic effect of sonothrombolysis (continual transcranial Doppler monitoring) using 2 MHz diagnostic probe on the reduction of risk of brain infarctions due to the activation of endogenous fibrinolytic system during cardiac surgery (CS). 120 patients indicated for CS (CABG or valve replacement) will be enrolled into the study in order to demonstrate a twenty-percent risk reduction of number and volume of brain infarctions detected using MRI examination 24 hours after CEA or CS in 5% level of significance. Patients will be randomized - subgroup 1 will undergo a 40-240minute non-diagnostic TCD monitoring during CS, subgroup 2 will undergo interventions without TCD monitoring. The aim of the project is a concordance with the aim No 1 of the Resort Program of a Research and Development: "Improvement of quality of life of patients using the modern therapeutic methods but with relative small positive effect of quality of life". The aim of the project is in concordance with a priority of announced public grant competition: "Development of the new therapeutic methods of cardiovascular disorders, especially coronary heart disease and stroke". Confirmation of our hypothesis that sonothrombolysis is able to activate endogenous fibrinolytic system during CS with consecutive reduction of the number and volume of brain infarcts, can lead to the increase of the safety of CS in patients. We can presume that up to 50% of patients indicated for CS can be treated using these methods in the future.