PERFUSION SHUNT APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

A perfusion shunt apparatus and methods are described for isolating and selectively perfusing a segment of a patient's cardiovascular system and for directing circulatory flow around the isolated segment. An aortic perfusion shunt apparatus is configured for deployment within a patient's aortic arch and methods are described for isolating the aortic arch vessels from the aortic lumen, for selectively perfusing the arch vessels with a fluid and for directing blood flow within the aortic lumen through a shunt past the isolated arch vessels. The perfusion shunt apparatus may be mounted of a catheter or cannula for percutaneous introduction or for direct insertion into a circulatory vessel, such as the aorta. The perfusion shunt apparatus has application for protecting a patient from embolic stroke or hypoperfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass or cardiac surgery and also for selectively perfusing the cerebrovascular circulation with oxygenated blood or with neuroprotective fluids in the presence of risk factors, such as head trauma or cardiac insufficiency. The perfusion shunt apparatus will also find application for selective perfusion of other organ systems within the body.