Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a catheter (20), a first pump (24U) disposed on the catheter, and a second pump (24D) disposed on the catheter, proximally to the first pump. A control unit (52) is configured to control activation of the first and second pumps. The first and second pumps are configured, when activated, to pump fluid in opposite directions from one another. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including identifying a subject as suffering from cardiac dysfunction, congestive heart failure, reduced renal blood flow, increased renal vascular resistance, arterial hypertension, and/or kidney dysfunction, and, in response thereto, reducing blood pressure within a renal vein of the subject, by activating at least one impeller to pump blood from the renal vein into a vena cava of the subject, by the impeller rotating.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are described including identifying a subject as suffering from a condition that causes the subject to have elevated central venous pressure. In response thereto, a device is placed inside the subject's vena cava such that an upstream end of the device is placed at a location upstream of junctions of the vena cava with all of the subject's renal veins. The device defines a passage through the device, at least a portion of the passage converging in a direction from an upstream end of the device to downstream end of the device. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including inserting a catheter into a subject's body via a vein of the subject's groin. The catheter is advanced distally such that a distal end of the catheter is disposed inside the subject's renal vein. Respective stabilizing portions of the catheter stabilize the catheter by being in contact with inner walls of, respectively, an iliac vein of the subject, and a vena cava of the subject. Subsequently, a medical device is deployed inside the renal vein by retracting the distal end of the catheter, such that the distal end of the catheter is in a retracted state, in which the respective stabilizing portions of the catheter still stabilize the catheter by being in contact with the inner walls of, respectively, the subject's iliac vein and the subject's vena cava. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including identifying a subject as suffering from a condition selected from the group consisting of: cardiac dysfunction, congestive heart failure, reduced renal blood flow, increased renal vascular resistance, arterial hypertension, and kidney dysfunction. In response thereto, blood pressure within a renal vein (32) of the subject is reduced, by placing a blood pump (150) inside the subject's renal vein and activating the impeller to pump blood from the renal vein into the subject's vena cava (26). Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including identifying a subject as suffering from a condition selected from the group consisting of: cardiac dysfunction, congestive heart failure, reduced renal blood flow, increased renal vascular resistance, arterial hypertension, and kidney dysfunction. In response thereto, blood pressure within a renal vein of the subject is reduced, by placing a blood pump inside the subject's renal vein and activating the impeller to pump blood from the renal vein into the subject's vena cava. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including inserting a catheter into a subject's body via a vein of the subject's groin. The catheter is advanced distally such that a distal end of the catheter is disposed inside the subject's renal vein. Respective stabilizing portions of the catheter stabilize the catheter by being in contact with inner walls of, respectively, an iliac vein of the subject, and a vena cava of the subject. Subsequently, a medical device is deployed inside the renal vein by retracting the distal end of the catheter, such that the distal end of the catheter is in a retracted state, in which the respective stabilizing portions of the catheter still stabilize the catheter by being in contact with the inner walls of, respectively, the subject's iliac vein and the subject's vena cava. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including inserting a catheter into a subject's body via a vein of the subject's groin. The catheter is advanced distally such that a distal end of the catheter is disposed inside the subject's renal vein. Respective stabilizing portions of the catheter stabilize the catheter by being in contact with inner walls of, respectively, an iliac vein of the subject, and a vena cava of the subject. Subsequently, a medical device is deployed inside the renal vein by retracting the distal end of the catheter, such that the distal end of the catheter is in a retracted state, in which the respective stabilizing portions of the catheter still stabilize the catheter by being in contact with the inner walls of, respectively, the subject's iliac vein and the subject's vena cava. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a valve (34) that includes valve leaflets (33) and a non-branched valve frame (31) configured to support the valve leaflets, the frame defining a single longitudinal axis thereof, the longitudinal axis being a generally straight line along a full length of the frame. The valve (34) is placed at least partially within a renal vein of a subject. The valve defines an open state thereof in which the valve leaflets (33) allow generally unimpeded antegrade blood flow therethrough, and a closed state thereof in which the valve leaflets (33), in a passive manner, reduce venous pressure within the renal vein relative to central venous pressure of the subject. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including inserting a catheter into a subject's body via a vein of the subject's groin. The catheter is advanced distally such that a distal end of the catheter is disposed inside the subject's renal vein. Respective stabilizing portions of the catheter stabilize the catheter by being in contact with inner walls of, respectively, an iliac vein of the subject, and a vena cava of the subject. Subsequently, a medical device is deployed inside the renal vein by retracting the distal end of the catheter, such that the distal end of the catheter is in a retracted state, in which the respective stabilizing portions of the catheter still stabilize the catheter by being in contact with the inner walls of, respectively, the subject's iliac vein and the subject's vena cava. Other applications are also described.