Cerebral perfusion augmentation

Abstract

Methods are provided for partial aortic occlusion for cerebral perfusion augmentation in patients suffering from global or focal cerebral ischemia. The descending aorta is accessed. A device is then located downstream from the takeoff of the brachiocephalic artery. The device is operated to at least partially obstruct blood flow in the aorta during systole and diastole. A physiologic parameter can be measured. The device can then be adjusted to modify the degree of obstruction based on the measured physiologic parameter.

1 . A method for increasing cerebral blood flow, comprising the steps of: 
 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 aorta;    expanding and maintaining the expandable member to partially obstruct blood flow in the aorta during systole and diastole; and    measuring a physiologic parameter.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of adjusting the expansion of the expandable member based on the measured physiologic parameter.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the physiologic parameter is blood pressure.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the physiologic parameter is cerebral blood flow.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable member is a balloon.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein blood flow to the cerebral vasculature increases by at least 20%.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable member is located in the abdominal aorta.  
   
   
       8 . A method for increasing cerebral blood flow, comprising the steps of: 
 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 aorta;    expanding the expandable member to partially obstruct blood flow in the aorta without full occlusion during systole and diastole; and    measuring a physiologic parameter.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of adjusting the expansion of the expandable member based on the measured physiologic parameter.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the physiologic parameter is blood pressure.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the physiologic parameter is cerebral blood flow.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the expandable member is a balloon.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein blood flow to the cerebral vasculature increases by at least 20%.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the expandable member is located in the abdominal aorta.