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Abstract

A method for delivering a therapeutic agent directly to the heart employing minimally invasive techniques and concepts. In particular, the delivery of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) is performed endovascularly or endoscopically to a region of a patient's heart treated with transmyocardial revascularization (TMR). A system is provided for inducing cardioplegic arrest. An aortic occlusion device has an inflatable balloon which occludes the ascending aorta when inflated. Cardioplegic fluid may be infused through a lumen of the aortic occlusion device to stop the heart while the patient's circulatory system is supported on cardiopulmonary bypass. A side-firing fiberoptic laser is introduced through the aortic occlusion device in the endovascular technique to perform TMR. Subsequently, a therapeutic agent delivery catheter is directed into one of the coronary arteries to deliver and dissipate the VEGF into the surrounding vascular plexus to promote angiogenesis stimulation. Alternatively, a therapeutic agent delivery material saturated or coated with VEGF could be sutured to the epicardial surface of the heart, using thoracoscopic techniques, for timed release delivery of the agent to the TMR treated site.

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First Claim