Systems and methods for selectively occluding the superior vena cava for treating heart conditions

A device for occluding a superior vena cava (SVC) of a patient, the device comprising:

• a catheter comprising a distal region and configured to be disposed in the SVC;
• a flow limiting element disposed on the distal region of the catheter and configured to be selectively actuated;
• a pressure switch disposed on the distal region of the catheter and comprising a first lumen with a first open end disposed proximal to the flow limiting element and a second lumen with a second open end disposed distal to the flow limiting element, the pressure switch configured to generate a signal when a pressure differential between the first lumen and the second lumen reaches a predetermined pressure differential threshold to indicate a degree of occlusion of the SVC by the flow limiting element;
• and
• a controller operatively coupled to the catheter and configured to:
• receive the signal from the pressure switch when the pressure differential between the first lumen and the second lumen reaches the predetermined pressure differential threshold;
• and
• intermittently actuate the flow limiting element to at least partially occlude the SVC based on the signal.