Methods of treating stroke

Abstract

A method is provided for the localized intravascular administration of a fibrinolytic metalloproteinase to a human subject in amounts that are both safe and effective to lyse an occluding fibrin-containing blood clot, while also avoiding the neutralizing effects of α 2 -macroglobulin in the circulating blood. A method is also provided for the treatment of a blood clot in, around or attached to an indwelling vascular access device. A method for restoring patency and function of an indwelling vascular access device is also provided.

1 . A method for treating a subject suffering from a stroke comprising delivering to the subject through a vascular access device, a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a fibrinolytic metalloproteinase.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said vascular access device is a catheter device.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said catheter device is a “side hole” catheter device.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said catheter device is a pressure response outlet (PRO) catheter device.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition is delivered by bolus injection.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said fibrinolytic metalloproteinase is Novel Acting Thrombolytic (NAT).  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said NAT comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said fibrinolytic metalloproteinase is a fibrolase.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said fibrolase comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3.  
     
     
         10 . A method for treating a human suffering from a stroke, said method comprising delivering to the human through a catheter device a therapeutically effective amount of Novel Acting Thrombolytic (NAT) comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said catheter device is a side hole catheter device.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said catheter device is a pressure response outlet (PRO) catheter device.