Partial aortic occlusion devices and methods for cerebral perfusion augmentation

A method for increasing blood flow to a patient's cerebral vasculature, comprising the steps of:

• providing a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and an expandable constrictor mounted on the distal end, and a lumen extending from the proximal end and communicating with a port distal the constrictor;
• advancing the distal end of the catheter into the descending aorta;
• locating the constrictor downstream from the takeoff of the brachiocephalic artery;
• expanding the constrictor to at least partially occlude blood flow in the aorta during systole and diastole, wherein blood pressure in the proximal aorta increases and blood pressure in the distal aorta decreases;
• and
• advancing a medical instrument through the lumen, beyond the distal port, and into an artery which branches from the aorta.

A method for increasing blood flow to a patient's cerebral vasculature, comprising the steps of:

• providing a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and an expandable constrictor mounted on the distal end;
• inserting the distal end of the catheter into the descending aorta;
• locating the constrictor downstream from the takeoff of the brachiocephalic artery;
• and
• expanding the constrictor to partially occlude blood flow in the aorta and maintaining the expanded constrictor during systole, wherein blood pressure in the proximal aorta increases and blood pressure in the distal aorta decreases, and wherein blood flow to the cerebral vasculature increases and exaggerates the pulse wave to enhance the pulsatile wave form.

A method for increasing blood flow to a patient's cerebral vasculature, comprising the steps of:

• providing a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and an expandable constrictor mounted on the distal end;
• advancing the distal end of the catheter into the descending aorta;
• locating the constrictor downstream from the takeoff of the brachiocepliac artery;
• expanding the constrictor to at least partially occlude blood flow in the aorta during systole and diastole, wherein blood pressure in the proximal aorta increases and blood pressure in the distal aorta decreases;
• measuring a first blood pressure at a location proximal the constrictor and measuring a second blood pressure at a location distal the constrictor;
• and
• adjusting the constrictor based on a comparison of the first and second measured blood pressures.

A method for increasing blood flow to a patient's cerebral vasculature, comprising the steps of:

• providing a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and an expandable constrictor mounted on the distal end;
• inserting the distal end of the catheter into the descending aorta;
• locating the constrictor downstream from the takeoff of the brachiocephalic artery;
• and
• expanding the constrictor to partially occlude blood flow in the aorta and maintaining the expanded constrictor during systole, wherein blood pressure in the proximal aorta increases and blood pressure in the distal aorta decreases, and wherein blood flow to the cerebral vasculature increases.