Methods for flow augmentation in patients with occlusive cerebrovascular disease

摘要

The invention provides a method for augmenting circulation in a patient having carotid stenosis. An elongate tubular member is provided having a lumen communicating with a port at a distal end. The tubular member is inserted into a peripheral artery and the distal port is advanced into a first carotid artery substantially free of a lesion where the patient possesses a second carotid artery substantially occluded by a lesion. Blood is perfused into the first carotid artery through the tubular member. Contralateral flow is augmented to improve perfusion to an ischemic region distal to the carotid stenosis. Angioplasty and stenting can be used to open the lesion in the second carotid artery.