Inducing apoptosis of atrial myocytes to treat atrial fibrillation
OwnerS. Ward Casscellsinventor
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Abstract
The present invention relates to methods for treating atrial fibrillation. More specifically, highly active foci of atrial myocytes are identified and selectively heated to induce apoptosis of the arrhythmic foci. The methods generally involve heating the myocytes with a catheter for a sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature to induce programmed cell death.
Claims63
A method of treating atrial fibrillation comprising inducing apoptosis of an atrial myocyte.
A method of treating atrial fibrillation comprising inducing apoptosis of an atrial myocyte by heating, wherein said heating is conducted at a temperature in the range of about 38° C. to 48° C. over a time period range of about 5 to 60 minutes.
A method of treating atrial fibrillation comprising inducing apoptosis of an atrial myocyte by heating, further comprising detecting said atrial myocyte, and heating said atrial myocyte at a temperature in the range of about 38° C. to 48° C. over a time period range of about 5 to 60 minutes.
A method of treating atrial fibrillation comprising inducing apoptosis of an atrial myocyte by heating, wherein said heating is conducted at a temperature in the range of about 38° C. to 48° C. over a time period range of about 5 to 60 minutes, and monitoring apoptosis of said atrial myocyte.
A method of treating atrial fibrillation comprising inducing apoptosis of an atrial myocyte by heating, further comprising detecting said atrial myocyte, heating said atrial myocyte at a temperature in the range of about 38° C. to 48° C. over a time period range of about 5 to 60 minutes, and monitoring apoptosis of said atrial myocyte.
A method of treating atrial fibrillation comprising inducing apoptosis of an atrial myocyte by heating, further comprising detecting said atrial myocyte, heating said atrial myocyte at a temperature in the range of about 38° C. to 48° C. over a time period range of about 5 to 60 minutes, and monitoring apoptosis of said atrial myocyte, and wherein at least one additional trigger of apoptosis is applied to said atrial myocyte, said trigger selected from the group:
- application of tumor necrosis factor alpha to said atrial myocyte;
- pressure against said atrial myocyte;
- stretching said atrial myocyte;
- causing hypoxia in said atrial myocyte;
- causing hypoglycemia in said atrial myocyte;
- causing acidosis in said atrial myocyte;
- and application of oxidants to said atrial myocyte.
An improved method of treating atrial fibrillation comprising:
- inducing apoptosis of an atrial myocyte by heating, further comprising detecting said atrial myocyte, heating said atrial myocyte at a temperature in the range of about 38° C. to 48° C. over a time period range of about 5 to 60 minutes, and monitoring apoptosis of said atrial myocyte, and wherein at least one additional trigger of apoptosis is applied to said atrial myocyte, said trigger selected from the group:
- application of tumor necrosis factor alpha to said atrial myocyte;
- pressure against said atrial myocyte;
- stretching said atrial myocyte;
- causing hypoxia in said atrial myocyte;
- causing hypoglycemia in said atrial myocyte;
- causing acidosis in said atrial myocyte;
- and application of oxidants to said atrial myocyte.
A method of eliminating an arrhythmogenic focus in a pulmonary vein comprising inducing apoptosis of an atrial myocyte by heating.
A method of eliminating an arrythmogenic focus in a pulmonary vein comprising inducing apoptosis of a group of atrial myocytes by heating, wherein said heating is conducted at a temperature in the range of about 38° C. to 48° C. over a time period range of about 5 to 60 minutes.
A method of eliminating an arrythmogenic focus in a pulmonary vein comprising inducing apoptosis of a group of atrial myocytes, further comprising detecting said atrial myocytes, and heating said atrial myocytes at a temperature in the range of about 38° C. to 48° C. over a time period range of about 5 to 60 minutes.
A method of eliminating an arrythmogenic focus in a pulmonary vein comprising inducing apoptosis of a group of atrial myocytes by heating, wherein said heating is conducted at a temperature in the range of about 38° C. to 48° C. over a time period range of about 5 to 60 minutes, and monitoring apoptosis of said atrial myocytes.
A method of eliminating an arrythmogenic focus in a pulmonary vein comprising inducing apoptosis of a group of atrial myocytes, further comprising detecting said atrial myocytes, heating said atrial myocytes at a temperature in the range of about 38° C. to 48° C. over a time period range of about 5 to 60 minutes, and monitoring apoptosis of said atrial myocytes.
A method of eliminating an arrhythmogenic foci in a pulmonary vein comprising inducing apoptosis of a group of atrial myocytes by heating.
A method of eliminating an arrythmogenic foci in a pulmonary vein comprising, detecting an atrial myocyte, heating said atrial myocyte at a temperature in the range of about 38° C. to 48° C. over a time period range of about 5 to 60 minutes in order to induce apoptosis in said atrial myocyte, applying at least one additional trigger of apoptosis to said atrial myocyte, said trigger selected from the group:
- application of tumor necrosis factor alpha to said atrial myocyte;
- pressure against said atrial myocyte;
- stretching said atrial myocyte;
- causing hypoxia in said atrial myocyte;
- causing hypoglycemia in said atrial myocyte;
- causing acidosis in said atrial myocyte;
- and application of oxidants to said atrial myocyte, and monitoring apoptosis of said atrial myocyte.
An improved method of eliminating an arrythmogenic foci in a pulmonary vein, comprising:
- detecting an atrial myocyte, heating said atrial myocyte at a temperature in the range of about 38° C. to 48° C. over a time period range of about 5 to 60 minutes in order to induce apoptosis in said atrial myocyte, applying at least one additional trigger of apoptosis to said atrial myocyte, said trigger selected from the group:
- application of tumor necrosis factor alpha to said atrial myocyte;
- pressure against said atrial myocyte;
- stretching said atrial myocyte;
- causing hypoxia in said atrial myocyte;
- causing hypoglycemia in said atrial myocyte;
- causing acidosis in said atrial myocyte;
- and application of oxidants to said atrial myocyte, and monitoring apoptosis of said atrial myocyte.
A device for eliminating an arrhythmogenic focus in a pulmonary vein comprising:
- a heating element capable of maintaining a temperature in the range of about 38° C. to 48° C. over a time period range of about 5 to 60 minutes;
- and,
- at least one detector capable of detecting the presence or absence of an arrhythmogenic focus comprising atrial myocytes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.