Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods for modulating or blocking renal sympathetic nerve activity by applying laser energy to the renal artery wall to effect ablation of the renal nerve or nerves. The devices and methods of the invention may be useful in the treatment of cardiovascular and renal disease resulting from hypertension. In addition the devices and methods of the invention may be useful for reducing reflex hypertension following cyclosporine administration after organ transplantation.

Abstract: An indwelling vascular device is constructed such that a vascular stenosis model can be controlled from the partial stenosis to the total occlusion. There is also described a vascular stenosis model of such non-human animal, and a method for making the same. The model can be used for diagnosis or therapy of a disease resulting from the stenosis or total occlusion in a blood vessel or further for the development of therapeutic approaches. The indwelling vascular device includes a device substrate containing a metal and/or metal compound which elutes toxic metal ions at least from a surface thereof and having a structure ensuring a vascular flow immediately after indwelling in a blood vessel, and a polymer coating layer formed on at least a metal and/or metal compound containing surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Methods of decreasing the extent of occlusion in the lumen of a mammalian blood vessel due to an ischemic or other hypoxic event are provided. In one form, a method includes administering to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutically effective amount of an inhibitor of ? protein kinase C, either alone or in combination with a second therapeutic agent, and wherein the blood vessel is a blood vessel of the microvasculature. Additionally, methods of decreasing endothelial cell swelling in a mammalian blood vessel due to an ischemic or other hypoxic event are also provided. In one form, a method includes administering to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutically effective amount of an inhibitor of ? protein kinase C, either alone or in combination with a second therapeutic agent.