METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DELIVERY OF THERAPEUTIC AGENTS TO THE HEART

摘要

A method and system for delivering a therapeutic agent directly to the heart employing minimally invasive techniques and concepts. In particular. the delivery of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) is performed endovascularly or endoxopical ly to a region of a patient's heart treated with transmyocardial revascularization (TMR). A system is provided for inducing cardioplegic arrest. An aortic occlusion device has an inflatable balloon which occludes the ascending aorta when inflated. Cardioplegic fluid may be infused through a lumen of the aortic occlusion device to stop the heart while the patient's circulatory system is supported on cardiopulmonary bypas s_ A side-firing fiberoptic laser is introduced through the aortic occlusion devi ce in the endovascular technique to perform TMR. Subsequently, a therapeutic agent delivery catheter is directed into one of the coronary arteries to deliver and dissipate the VEGF into the surrounding vascular plexus to promote angiogenesis stimulatio n. Alternatively, a therapeutic agent delivery material saturated or coated wit h VEGF could be sutured to the epicardial surface of the heart, using thoracoxopic techniques. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ TMR treated site.