Adenosine antagonists in the treatment and diagnosis of A-V node conduction disturbances
AssigneeThe University of Virginia Alumni Patents Foundation
InventorsRobert M. Berne, Luiz Belardinelli, Rafael Rubio
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Abstract
A method of relieving atrioventricular conduction block by administering to a human or animal an effective amount of an adenosine antagonist that competitively inhibits adenosine or that reduces the level of adenosine present in myocardial tissue and associated fluids. A method of diagnosing atrioventricular conduction block caused by ischemia of the heart by measuring the time delay between atrial and ventricular excitation before and after the administration of an adenosine antagonist. Specific antagonists disclosed include methylxanthines.
Claims27
A method of treating atrioventricular conduction block, comprising the steps of:
- administering to a human or animal with an atrioventricular conduction block an amount of an antagonist of adenosine sufficient to alleviate atrioventricular conduction block, wherein said antagonist competitively inhibits adenosine or reduces the level of adenosine present in myocardial tissue and associated fluids.
A method of diagnosing atrioventricular conduction block, comprising the steps of:
- administering an antagonist of adenosine to a human or other animal, wherein said antagonist competitively inhibits adenosine or reduces the levels of adenosine present in myocardial tissue and associated fluids;
- and
- monitoring the delay between atrial and ventricular contraction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.