abstract |
A method for treating a patient sustaining an acute ischemic stroke in the brain. The brain has a blood circulatory system including a torcular Herophili and first and second transverse venous sinuses adjoining the torcular Herophili. The method comprises at least partially occluding the first and second transverse venous sinuses in first and second locations, respectively, adjacent to the torcular Herophili to partially obstruct venous blood drainage while permitting some antegrade venous blood flow from at least one of the transverse venous sinuses. A flow of the patient's arterial blood is introduced into at least one of the transverse venous sinuses to provide a substantially continuous retrograde blood flow into the venous side of the brain of the patient to overcome the lack of arterial blood flow for a period of time until the patient exhibits at least some resolution of ischemic brain symptoms. |