Partial aortic occlusion devices and methods for cerebral perfusion augmentation

Abstract

Methods are provided for partial aortic obstruction for cerebral perfusion augmentation in patients suffering from global or focal cerebral ischemia. Alternatively, the methods can be used to partially obstruct aortic blood flow to condition the spinal cord to secrete neuroprotective agents prior to abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Partial obstruction of a vessel can be accomplished by a device comprising an elongate catheter and a distally mounted expandable member. The expandable member may comprise one or two balloons. Other medical devices, such as an angioplasty, stent, or atherectomy catheter, can be inserted distal the expandable member to provide therapeutic intervention.

1 . A method for increasing cerebral blood flow, comprising the steps of: 
 measuring a patient's aortic anatomy;    advancing a catheter into the descending aorta, the catheter having a proximal region, a distal region, and an expandable member mounted on the distal region;    locating the expandable member in the descending aorta; and    expanding the expandable member based on the measured aortic anatomy to partially obstruct blood flow in the aorta during systole and diastole,    wherein cerebral blood flow is increased without substantially increasing cerebral blood pressure.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable member is a balloon.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of measuring a physiologic parameter.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the physiologic parameter is blood pressure.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the physiologic parameter is cerebral blood flow.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising the step of adjusting the expansion of the expandable member based on the measured cerebral blood flow  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein cerebral blood flow is increased by at least 20%.