Isolation of pulmonary vein

摘要

The present invention advantageously provides a method and system for the improved isolation and corresponding treatment of tissue targeted for cryogenic or other thermal therapy to increase the thermal efficacy and thermal efficiency of the treatment. In particular, the present invention provides methods and systems for improved thermal treatment of target tissue, such as a pulmonary vein and/or regions of the left atrium by reducing the resistive forces and/or increased thermal energy experienced from blood flow exiting the pulmonary vein into the left atrium during treatment.

主权项

1. A method for treating cardiac tissue, comprising:
substantially occluding at least a portion of a pulmonary artery with a first medical device to prevent blood flow into the left atrium of a heart; and thermally treating an ostium of a pulmonary vein with a second medical device while the at least a portion of the pulmonary artery is substantially occluded by the first medical device, the second medical device including an expandable element and a bypass flow path from a region distal of the expandable element to a region proximal of the expandable element, and a fluid control element surrounding at least a portion of an external surface of the second medical device, the expandable element surrounding at least a portion of the bypass path and longitudinal movement of the fluid control element selectively preventing or allowing fluid flow through the bypass path.