Methods for inhibiting reperfusion injury

Abstract

A method that includes introducing a catheter assembly to an obstructed region of a blood vessel lumen and recanalizing the obstructed region with the catheter assembly is disclosed. Prior to or during recanalization, a treatment agent may be delivered through the catheter assembly to a vessel region downstream to the obstructed region. The treatment agent may have a property that will inhibit reperfusion injury. Alternatively, a medical device may be introduced to an obstructed region of a blood vessel lumen and the obstructed region recanalized with the medical device. The treatment agent may be delivered to a vessel region downstream to the obstructed region. The treatment agent may include at least one of an immunosuppresant and an antioxidant. In other methods, a delivery cannula may be introduced to an unperfused region of an occluded vessel without disrupting the occlusion and the treatment agent having a property that will inhibit reperfusion injury may be delivered to the unperfused region through the delivery cannula. After delivering the treatment agent, the occluded vessel may be recanalized by advancing an angioplasty device into the occluded vessel.