Patent ID: 7846193

Claim:
A method for lessening the potential for secondary thrombo-embolic events in a patient suffering from non-Q wave myocardial infarction, unstable angina or a transient ischemic attack, said method comprising the steps of: a) reaching a diagnosis or clinical impression that the patient is suffering from non-Q wave myocardial infarction, unstable angina or transient ischemic attack; b) placing an intravascular heat exchange apparatus within the venous vasculature of the patient; c) using the intravascular heat exchange apparatus to cool the patient's body to a core temperature within the range of 32 degrees C. to 36 degrees C., resulting in systemic hypothermia-induced platelet inhibition without concomitant administration to the patient of anticoagulant or platelet inhibiting drugs; d) administering treatment for the non-Q wave myocardial infarction, unstable angina or transient ischemic attack; e) determining that the patient is no longer suffering from the non-Q wave myocardial infarction, unstable angina or transient ischemic attack; and, thereafter, f) reversing the platelet inhibition by re-warming the patient to a temperature at which platelet inhibition no longer occurs.