METHOD OF TREATING COPD WITH ARTIFICIAL ARTERIO-VENOUS FISTULA AND FLOW MEDIATING SYSTEMS

摘要

A method for treatment of COPD, hypertension, and left ventricular hypertrophy, and chronic hypoxia including creation of an artificial arterio-venous fistula and installation of a flow mediating device proximate the fistula. The flow mediating device is operated to limit flow as medically indicated to provide the optimum amount of bypass flow.

主权项

1. A method of treating COPD in a patient, comprising:
identifying symptoms of COPD: creating an artificial fistula via a shunt between an artery and a vein of the patient such that an anatomical fistula of vascular tissue forms, wherein blood flows through the shunt between the artery and vein; evaluating the patient after a stabilization period following the creation of the artificial fistula, wherein the stabilization period is sufficient to allow for long-term remodeling of a heart of the patient; adjusting the blood flow through the fistula by restricting flow through another region of the vasculature different from the shunt; and operating a flow-mediating device along the artery or vein, to control bypass blood flow through the fistula as indicated to treat COPD.