Patent ID: 8292871

Claim:
A method of treating a region of cardiac tissue of an unarrested heart, wherein the region of cardiac tissue is suspected to be inflicted with a microvascular obstruction, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a perfusate catheter into a coronary artery so as to allow blood flow from the unarrested heart through the coronary artery to the region of cardiac tissue of the unarrested heart; allowing pulsatile blood flow to the region of cardiac tissue of the unarrested heart; perfusing the region of cardiac tissue of the unarrested heart, including administering a therapeutic agent to the region of cardiac tissue, the therapeutic agent being selected to treat microvascular obstructions; and systemically isolating the administered therapeutic agent by withdrawing the agent prior to systemic circulation by the unarrested heart, wherein the isolating step includes positioning a collection catheter into the coronary venous system and applying suction to the collection catheter.