Use of UTP for the diagnosis of stenoses and other conditions of restricted blood flow

A method for determining whether blood flow is restricted in a blood vessel of an individual suspected of compromised blood flow in the vessel, the method comprising:

• (a) delivering UTP, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof to said vessel,
• (b) assessing blood flow quantitatively in the vessel by obtaining a value that correlates to blood flow in said vessel,
• (c) comparing the obtained value with a reference value, and
• (d) determining whether the individual has compromised blood flow based on whether there is a difference between the obtained value and the reference value indicative of a reduction in blood flow relative to a healthy vessel.

A method for determining whether blood flow in a blood vessel of an individual suspected of compromised blood flow in the vessel is restricted, the method comprising:

• (a) delivering UTP, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof to said vessel of an individual suspected of having an atherosclerotic or ischemic disease,
• (b) assessing blood flow quantitatively in the vessel by obtaining a value that correlates to blood flow in said vessel,
• (c) comparing the obtained value with a reference value, and
• (d) determining whether the individual has compromised blood flow based on the results of the comparison.

A method for determining blood flow in a blood vessel comprising:

• (a) delivering UTP, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof to an individual suspected of having a vessel with compromised blood flow,
• (b) assessing blood flow quantitatively in the vessel by obtaining a value that correlates to blood flow in said vessel,
• (c) comparing the obtained value with a reference value, and
• (d) determining whether the individual has compromised blood flow based on the results of the comparison.

A method for diagnosing a disease selected from the group consisting of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), coronary atherosclerosis, and ischemic heart disease comprising:

• (a) delivering UTP, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof to an individual suspected of having said disease,
• (b) assessing blood flow quantitatively in the vessel by obtaining a value that correlates to blood flow in said vessel,
• (c) comparing the obtained value with a reference value, and
• (d) determining whether the individual has compromised blood flow based on the results of the comparison.

A method for diagnosing renal artery stenosis comprising:

• (a) delivering UTP, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof to an individual suspected of having said disease,
• (b) assessing blood flow quantitatively in the vessel by obtaining a value that correlates to blood flow in said vessel,
• (c) comparing the obtained value with a reference value, and
• (d) determining whether the individual has compromised blood flow based on the results of the comparison.

A method for screening individuals at risk of developing an atherosclerotic or ischemic disease comprising:

• (a) delivering UTP, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof to the individual,
• (b) assessing blood flow quantitatively in the vessel by obtaining a value that correlates to blood flow in said vessel,
• (c) comparing the obtained value with a reference value, and
• (d) determining whether the individual has compromised blood flow based on the results of the comparison.