Apparatus and methods for treating congestive heart disease

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for treating congestive heart failure using a catheter having an inlet end configured for placement in the source of arterial blood such as the aorta, left ventricle or a femoral artery, and an outlet end having at least one conduit configured to be placed in the renal arteries. The catheter includes a lumen through which blood passes from the aorta or left ventricle directly to the renal artery, means for engaging the first conduit with renal artery. The means for engaging also may reduce backflow of blood into the abdominal aorta. The catheter preferably is configured to permit percutaneous, transluminal implantation. Methods of using and implanting the catheter are also provided.

1 . A method for affecting a renal system in a patient, comprising: 
 locally delivering a fluid agent substantially only into a plurality of renal arteries associated with a plurality of ostia having unique respective positions along an abdominal aorta wall in a patient:    wherein the renal function of each of two kidneys is affected with a locally delivered fluid agent; and    wherein the fluid agent is locally delivered into the plurality of renal arteries substantially simultaneously.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the local delivery of the fluid agent further comprises: 
 positioning a fluid agent delivery device within each of the plurality of renal arteries.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 positioning a first conduit within a first renal artery;    positioning a second conduit within a second renal artery; and    delivering the volume of fluid agent simultaneously to each of the first and second renal arteries via the first and second conduits, respectively.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 enhancing renal function of each of two kidneys of the patient with the fluid agent locally delivered into the two or more renal arteries.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the local delivery of fluid agent into the one or more renal arteries comprises: 
 locally delivering a volume of diuretic fluid agent into the one or more renal arteries.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the local delivery of diuretic fluid agent into the one or more renal arteries comprises: 
 locally delivering a volume of furosemide into the one or more renal arteries.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the local delivery of diuretic fluid agent into the one or more renal arteries comprises: 
 locally delivering a volume of thiazide into the one or more renal arteries.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the local delivery of fluid agent into the one or more renal arteries comprises: 
 locally delivering a volume of vasopressor into the one or more renal arteries.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the local delivery of vasopressor into the one or more renal arteries further comprises:  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the local delivery of fluid agent into the one or more renal arteries comprises: 
 locally delivering a volume of vasodilator into the one or more renal arteries.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 substantially enhancing renal function with the local delivery of the fluid agent into the one or more renal arteries without providing a sufficiently high systemic dose to cause substantial systemic side-effects.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 allowing aortic blood to flow across the plurality of renal artery ostia and into downstream circulation while locally delivering the fluid agent into the plurality of renal arteries.    
   
   
       13 . A method for treating a renal system in a patient, comprising: 
 positioning a first conduit within a first renal artery;    positioning a second conduit within a second renal artery; and    locally delivering a volume of a fluid agent simultaneously to each of the first and second renal arteries via the first and second conduits, respectively;    enhancing the renal function of each of two kidneys with the volume of fluid agent being delivered; and    wherein the volume of fluid agent comprises a diuretic, a vasopressor, or a vasodilator.