Cardiovascular guiding catheter with heat exchange properties and methods of use

A cardiovascular guiding catheter adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid in a body conduit of a patient, the cardiovascular guiding catheter comprising:

• an elongate body including an inflow lumen, an outflow lumen and a guide lumen each extending through the elongate body;
• at least one guide duct disposed near a distal end of the elongate body and in fluid communication with the guide lumen;
• a first heat exchange element in which a heat exchange fluid may flow, the first heat exchange element being in fluid communication with the inflow lumen and the outflow lumen;
• and
• the elongate body, further including an infusion lumen extending therethrough.

A cardiovascular guiding catheter adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid in a body conduit of a patient, the cardiovascular guiding catheter comprising:

• an elongate body including an inflow lumen, an outflow lumen and a guide lumen each extending through the elongate body;
• at least one guide duct disposed near a distal end of the elongate body and in fluid communication with the guide lumen;
• a first heat exchange element in which a heat exchange fluid may flow, the first heat exchange element being in fluid communication with the inflow lumen and the outflow lumen;
• and
• the elongate body further including one or more of a group comprising a barrier, a valve and a plug for selectively blocking the guide lumen or a guide lumen fitting.

A cardiovascular guiding catheter adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid in a body conduit of a patient, the cardiovascular guiding catheter comprising:

• an elongate body including an inflow lumen, an outflow lumen and a guide lumen each extending through the elongate body;
• at least one guide duct disposed near a distal end of the elongate body and in fluid communication with the guide lumen;
• a first heat exchange element in which a heat exchange fluid may flow, the first heat exchange communication element being in fluid with the inflow lumen and the outflow lumen;
• and the catheter further comprising:
• a heating element for transferring heat with the heat exchange element;
• and
• a heat source for heating or cooling the heating element.

A cardiovascular guiding catheter adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid in a body conduit of a patient, the cardiovascular guiding catheter comprising:

• an elongate body including inflow means for conveying a heat exchange fluid toward a distal portion of the elongate body, outflow means for conveying the heat exchange fluid toward a proximal portion of the elongate body, and guide means for guiding a medical instrument in the body conduit;
• and
• heat exchange means for exchanging heat between the heat exchange fluid and the body fluid in the patient's body conduit, the heat exchange means being in fluid communication with the inflow means and the outflow means, the catheter further comprising:
• heating means for transferring heat with the heat exchange means;
• and
• heat source means for hating or cooling the heating means.

A method for controlling a temperature of a patient and guiding a medical instrument in a body cavity of the patient, comprising the steps of:

• providing a cardiovascular guiding catheter comprising an elongate body, at least one heat exchange element, at least one guide lumen, and at least one guide duct;
• placing the at least one eat exchange element in a heat exchange relationship with the body fluid in the body conduit;
• providing heat transfer with the heat exchange element such that the heat exchange element is heated or cooled;
• placing the at least one guide duct in the body conduit;
• and
• guiding a medical instrument in the body cavity through the guide duct and guide lumen.

A method of reducing myocardial infarction by intravascular application of hypothermia, the method comprising the steps of:

• inserting a guiding catheter into the vasculature of a patient, the guiding catheter adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid in a body conduit of a patient and the guiding catheter comprising:
• an elongate body including an inflow lumen, an outflow lumen and a guide lumen each extending rough the elongate body;
• at least one guide duct disposed near a distal end of the elongate body and in fluid communication with the guide lumen;
• and
• a first heat exchange element in which a heat exchange fluid may flow, the first heat exchange element being in fluid communication with the inflow lumen and the outflow lumen;
• maintaining heat exchange with the patient's body fluid for a sufficient length of time to reach a pre-determined temperature threshold.