Patent ID: 6748258
Filing Date: 2004-06-08
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method of treating a patient at risk of loss of cardiac function by cardiac ischemia, comprising(a) imaging the patient's heart, or a portion thereof, to identify (i) an underperfused region of cardiac muscle, (ii) a source of oxygenated blood that is proximate a boundary of the underperfused region, and (iii) a target area that includes said underperfused-region boundary and a tissue expanse lying between said oxygenated blood supply and said boundary; (b) at each of a plurality of sites throughout the target area, introducing a stimulus effective to stimulate angiogenesis in myocardial tissue and form a capillary network from the source of oxygenated blood to the underperfused region; and (c) sustaining a demand for oxygen at the underperfused region for a period sufficient to covert the capillary network into an arterial network, wherein said sustaining is accomplished by requiring the patient to undergo a regular exercise regime.