摘要:
A method of modifying cardiac tissue behavior, comprising applying a therapeutically effective electric field having an effect of modifying protein activation levels of at least one protein, and repeatedly applying the field at time intervals timed to increase the activation levels of the at least one protein beyond an activation level achieved by natural and/or paced excitation of the muscle without the application, to an extent about at least as high as a decay of the activation between applications of the field.
摘要:
Cardiomyopathy may be treated by distributing a space-occupying diastole-assist agent within the myocardium or within the cardiac venous system in a pattern about one or more chambers of the heart, such that the space-modifying agent integrates into and thickens at least part of the cardiac wall about the chamber so as globally to reduce wall stress, stabilize or even reduce chamber size, and/or improve diastolic function. Some patterns also cause a beneficial global reshaping of the chamber. These changes occur quickly and are sustainable, and have a rapid and sustainable therapeutic effect on cardiac function. Patterns of distribution of space-occupying agent within the myocardium for global resizing may also be used or augmented to treat localized conditions such as myocardial infarctions, overt aneurysm of the ventricular wall as typically forms in response to large transmural myocardial infarctions, and mitral regurgitation due to a noncompliant mitral valve. These techniques may also be used to treat localized conditions that may not yet have progressed to cardiomyopathy.
摘要:
A method of treating a cardiac arrhythmia, comprising: determining a desired arrhythmia control; selecting an electric field having an expected effect of modifying protein activity of at least one protein as a response of a cardiac tissue to the field, said expected effect correlated with said desired arrhythmia control; and applying said field to said cardiac tissue.
摘要:
Structurally supportive material is implanted or injected into cardiac veins as discrete masses at various sites in the cardiac venous system to reinforce the myocardium for the purpose of preventing, moderating, stopping or reversing negative cardiac remodeling due to various adverse cardiac conditions, both acute and chronic, or for the purpose of treating localize anomalies of the heart, or for both purposes. The sites may be arranged in a pattern about one or more chambers of the heart such that the masses cooperatively reduce stress in the chamber wall and reduce chamber size. Some patterns also cause a beneficial global reshaping of the chamber. These changes occur quickly and are sustainable, and have a rapid and sustainable therapeutic effect on cardiac function.
摘要:
An injector apparatus and associated methods for safely and repeatedly delivering an injectate at a predefined depth into the myocardium of the heart may be catheter-based or implemented in a handheld unit for use in open chest procedures. The injector includes a body, a stabilizer secured to a distal end of the body for stabilizing the distal end of the body relative to the myocardium, and a needle that may be controllably advanced from the distal end of the body into the myocardium. The stabilizer employs any suitable technique for stabilizing the distal end of the catheter body relative to the myocardium while the heart is beating. An enlarged region disposed along the needle functions as a stop to prevent the needle from being advanced into the myocardium beyond a desired penetration depth. To make an injection, the physician brings the distal end of the body in proximity to the endocardium or the epicardium using any suitable technique, actuates the stabilizer to stabilize the distal end relative to the myocardium; and advances the needle into the myocardium. Advancement of the needle into the myocardium is impeded by the enlarged region, thereby placing the needle tip at the desired penetration depth and avoiding puncturing of the heart. The injection is then made, and the needle and catheter are removed.
摘要:
A device for treating cardiac disease of a heart having an upper portion and a lower portion divided by an A-V groove, the device including a jacket adapted to be secured to the heart, and a non-adherent material in association with the jacket. The jacket is fabricated from a flexible material defining a volume between an upper and a lower end, the jacket being adapted to be adjusted on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and permit substantially unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole. As a result of the flexible material, the jacket allows unimpeded diastolic filling of the heart. Also described is a method for treating cardiac disease including surgically accessing the heart, applying the treatment device of the invention, securing the treatment device to the heart, and surgically closing access to the heart while leaving the treatment device on the heart.
摘要:
A device for treating cardiac disease of a heart having an upper portion and a lower portion divided by an A-V groove, the device including a jacket adapted to be secured to the heart, and a non-adherent material in association with the jacket. The jacket is fabricated from a flexible material defining a volume between an upper and a lower end, the jacket being adapted to be adjusted on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and permit substantially unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole. As a result of the flexible material, the jacket allows unimpeded diastolic filling of the heart. Also described is a method for treating cardiac disease including surgically accessing the heart, applying the treatment device of the invention, securing the treatment device to the heart, and surgically closing access to the heart while leaving the treatment device on the heart.
摘要:
Cardiomyopathy may be treated by distributing space-occupying agent within the myocardium in a pattern about one or more chambers of the heart, such that the space-modifying agent integrates into and thickens at least part of the cardiac wall about the chamber so as globally to reduce wall stress and stabilize or even reduce chamber size. Some patterns also cause a beneficial global reshaping of the chamber. These changes occur quickly and are sustainable, and have a rapid and sustainable therapeutic effect on cardiac function. Over time the relief of wall stress reduces oxygen consumption and promotes healing. Moreover, various long-term therapeutic effects may be realized depending on the properties of the space-occupying agent, including combinations with other therapeutic materials. Specific cardiac conditions treatable by these systems and methods include, for example, dilated cardiomyopathy (with or without overt aneurismal formations), congestive heart failure, and ventricular arrhythmias. Patterns of distribution of space-occupying agent within the myocardium for global resizing may also be used or augmented to treat localized conditions such as myocardial infarctions, overt aneurysm of the ventricular wall as typically forms in response to large transmural myocardial infarctions, and mitral regurgitation due to a noncompliant mitral valve. These techniques may also be used to treat localized conditions that may not yet have progressed to cardiomyopathy.
摘要:
A method of treating heart failure and improving cardiac function by administering stem cell products to a heart in need of treatment, whereby the stem cell products improve cardiac muscle function thereby treating heart failure and improving cardiac function. A method of enriching or regenerating damaged myocardium by administering stem cell products to damaged myocardium. Stem cell products for use in treating heart failure are also provided. A composition for enriching and regenerating damaged myocardium, the composition having stem cell products in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.