Patent ID: 8394355

Claim:
A method for determining whether blood flow is restricted in a blood vessel of an individual suspected of compromised blood flow in the vessel, the method comprising: (a) delivering UTP, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, wherein the UTP, a derivative thereof, or a salt thereof, is selected from the group consisting of UTP, UTPyS, MRS2498, uridine 5′-trisphosphate tris salt, uridine 5′-trisphosphate salt dihydrate, uridine 5′-trisphosphate salt solution, uridine 5′-trisphosphate salt hydrate, uridine- 13 C 9 , 15 N 2 5′-trisphosphate sodium salt solution, uridine- 15 N 2 5′-trisphosphate sodium salt solution, uridine 5′-triphosphate trisodium salt hydrate, uridine- 13 C 9 , 15 N 2 5′-triphosphate sodium salt solution uridine- 15 N 2 5′-triphosphate sodium salt solution 2-diuridine tetraphosphate, thioUTP tetrasodium salt, denufosol tetrasodium, and UTPyS trisodium salt, to said vessel, (b) assessing blood flow quantitatively in the vessel by obtaining a value that correlates to blood flow in said vessel, (c) comparing the obtained value with a reference value, and (d) determining whether the individual has compromised blood flow based on whether there is a difference between the obtained value and the reference value indicative of a reduction in blood flow relative to a healthy vessel.