Abstract: A differential pressure regulating device is provided for controlling in-vivo pressure in a body, and in particularly in a heart. The device may include a shunt being positioned between two or more lumens in a body, to enable fluids to flow between the lumens, and an adjustable flow regulation mechanism being configured to selectively cover an opening of the shunt, to regulate the flow of fluid through the shunt in relation to a pressure difference between the body lumens. In some embodiments a control mechanism coupled to the adjustable flow regulation mechanism may be provided, to remotely activate the adjustable flow regulation mechanism.

Abstract: A method of replacing a native cardiac valve with a prosthetic cardiac valve, the method comprising: expanding a wire mesh scaffolding in a chamber of the heart on a retrograde side of the native cardiac valve; while the scaffolding is expanded on the retrograde side of the valve positioning the prosthetic cardiac valve at the site of the native cardiac valve; expanding the prosthetic cardiac valve to replace the native cardiac valve; and collapsing the scaffolding to a collapsed state and removing the collapsed scaffolding from the chamber of the heart.

Abstract: A brace for mounting to an annulus of a cardiac valve, the brace comprising: first and second bottom gripping wings for gripping the annulus; first and second top gripping wings for gripping the annulus; and a support bridge that connects the top wings to the bottom wings; wherein the brace is deformable from a delivery configuration to a deployed configuration and in the delivery configuration the top wings are oriented substantially back to back along an axis and the bottom wings are oriented substantially back to back along the same axis, and in the deployed configuration the first top and bottom gripping wings face each other to grip the annulus between them and the second top and bottom gripping wings face each other to grip the annulus between them.

Abstract: The presently described subject matter is based on the finding that inhibition of eotaxin-2 by polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies, has a significant protective effect in animal models of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), colitis, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Thus, provided are pharmaceutical compositions including specific anti-eotaxin 2 antibodies for use alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents in the treatment of inflammatory, autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases. Also provided are specific anti-eotaxin-2 monoclonal antibodies, and methods of treatment utilizing such antibodies.

Abstract: A differential pressure regulating device is provided for controlling in-vivo pressure in a body, and in particularly in a heart. The device may include a shunt being positioned between two or more lumens in a body, to enable fluids to flow between the lumens, and an adjustable flow regulation mechanism being configured to selectively cover an opening of the shunt, to regulate the flow of fluid through the shunt in relation to a pressure difference between the body lumens. In some embodiments a control mechanism coupled to the adjustable flow regulation mechanism may be provided, to remotely activate the adjustable flow regulation mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention is thus directed to methods and apparatus for decreasing pressure in a first portion of a vessel of the cardiac structure of a patient by implanting a shunt communicating with an area outside said first portion, whereby a volume of blood sufficient to reduce pressure in said first portion is released.

Abstract: The present invention is thus directed to methods and apparatus for decreasing pressure in a first portion of a vessel of the cardiac structure of a patient by implanting a shunt communicating with an area outside said first portion, whereby a volume of blood sufficient to reduce pressure in said first portion is released.

Abstract: The present invention is thus directed to methods and apparatus for decreasing pressure in a first portion of a vessel of the cardiac structure of a patient by implanting a shunt communicating with an area outside said first portion, whereby a volume of blood sufficient to reduce pressure in said first portion is released. Preferably, the first portion comprises the left ventricle and the pressure reduced is the end diastolic pressure, which is accomplished by having the shunt communicate with the left ventricle so a small volume of blood is released from the left ventricle to reduce the end diastolic pressure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for decreasing pressure in the left atrium of a patient by implanting a valved shunt through the atrial septum, whereby a volume of blood sufficient to reduce pressure in said left atrium is released to the right atrium.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for decreasing cardiac pressure in a patient by implanting a shunt communicating with an area outside a first portion, whereby a volume of blood sufficient to reduce pressure in a first portion is released. Preferably, the end diastolic pressure in the left ventricle is reduced, which is accomplished by having the shunt communicate with the left ventricle so a small volume of blood is released from the left ventricle. Most preferably, the shunt selectively permits flow when a pressure differential between the left ventricle and another chamber of a heart above a threshold pressure, so that shunting is prevented during left ventricular systole, or, alternatively, selectively permits flow when a pressure differential between the left ventricle and another chamber of a heart is between a lower threshold and a higher threshold. In certain embodiments a semi-passive check-valve is controlled and actuated by an external signal.

Abstract: A differential pressure regulating device is provided for controlling in-vivo pressure in a body, and in particularly in a heart. The device may include a shunt being positioned between two or more lumens in a body, to enable fluids to flow between the lumens, and an adjustable flow regulation mechanism being configured to selectively cover an opening of the shunt, to regulate the flow of fluid through the shunt in relation to a pressure difference between the body lumens. In some embodiments a control mechanism coupled to the adjustable flow regulation mechanism may be provided, to remotely activate the adjustable flow regulation mechanism.

Abstract: The presently described subject matter is based on the finding that inhibition of eotaxin-2 by polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies, has a significant protective effect in animal models of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), colitis, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Thus, provided are pharmaceutical compositions including specific anti-eotaxin 2 antibodies for use alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents in the treatment of inflammatory, autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases. Also provided are specific anti-eotaxin-2 monoclonal antibodies, and methods of treatment utilizing such antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention is thus directed to methods and apparatus for decreasing pressure in a first portion of a vessel of the cardiac structure of a patient by implanting a shunt communicating with an area outside said first portion, whereby a volume of blood sufficient to reduce pressure in said first portion is released. Preferably, the first portion comprises the left ventricle and the pressure reduced is the end diastolic pressure, which is accomplished by having the shunt communicate with the left ventricle so a small volume of blood is released from the left ventricle to reduce the end diastolic pressure.

Abstract: The present invention is thus directed to methods and apparatus for decreasing pressure in a first portion of a vessel of the cardiac structure of a patient by implanting a shunt communicating with an area outside said first portion, whereby a volume of blood sufficient to reduce pressure in said first portion is released. Preferably, the first portion comprises the left ventricle and the pressure reduced is the end diastolic pressure, which is accomplished by having the shunt communicate with the left ventricle so a small volume of blood is released from the left ventricle to reduce the end diastolic pressure.

Abstract: A differential pressure regulating device is provided for controlling in-vivo pressure in a body, and in particularly in a heart. The device may include a shunt being positioned between two or more lumens in a body, to enable fluids to flow between the lumens, and an adjustable flow regulation mechanism being configured to selectively cover an opening of the shunt, to regulate the flow of fluid through the shunt in relation to a pressure difference between the body lumens. In some embodiments a control mechanism coupled to the adjustable flow regulation mechanism may be provided, to remotely activate the adjustable flow regulation mechanism.

Abstract: A differential pressure regulating device is provided for controlling in-vivo pressure in a body, and in particularly in a heart. The device may include a shunt being positioned between two or more lumens in a body, to enable fluids to flow between the lumens, and an adjustable flow regulation mechanism being configured to selectively cover an opening of the shunt, to regulate the flow of fluid through the shunt in relation to a pressure difference between the body lumens. In some embodiments a control mechanism coupled to the adjustable flow regulation mechanism may be provided, to remotely activate the adjustable flow regulation mechanism.

Abstract: A differential pressure regulating device is provided for controlling in-vivo pressure in a body, and in particularly in a heart. The device may include a shunt being positioned between two or more lumens in a body, to enable fluids to flow between the lumens, and an adjustable flow regulation mechanism being configured to selectively cover an opening of the shunt, to regulate the flow of fluid through the shunt in relation to a pressure difference between the body lumens. In some embodiments a control mechanism coupled to the adjustable flow regulation mechanism may be provided, to remotely activate the adjustable flow regulation mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for reducing the extent of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, comprising administering to a human prior to reperfusion of the ischemic myocardium or pre-angioplasty, coronary artery bypass surgery, or thrombolytic therapy an effective amount of FTS, or various analogs thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Methods of treating ischemia/reperfusion injury, comprising administering to a human after reperfusion of the ischemic myocardium or post-angioplasty, coronary artery bypass surgery, or thrombolytic therapy an effective amount of FTS, or various analogs thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for treating congestive heart by actively or passively enhancing perfusion to the renal arteries. A first embodiment comprises a specially configured balloon catheter and extracorporeal pump, wherein the pump operates in a “once-through” fashion or alternating volume displacement mode. In another embodiment the catheter includes a pair of balloons to isolate a region of the aorta, and a third balloon that directs flow into the renal arteries. In still further embodiments, a stent or cuff having a constricted region is deployed in or around the aorta, respectively, to create a backpressure upstream of the stent or cuff. Methods of enhancing renal perfusion also are provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for treating congestive heart by actively or passively enhancing perfusion to the renal arteries. A first embodiment comprises a specially configured balloon catheter and extracorporeal pump, wherein the pump operates in a “once-through” fashion or alternating volume displacement mode. In another embodiment the catheter includes a pair of balloons to isolate a region of the aorta, and a third balloon that directs flow into the renal arteries. In still further embodiments, a stent or cuff having a constricted region is deployed in or around the aorta, respectively, to create a backpressure upstream of the stent or cuff. Methods of enhancing renal perfusion also are provided.