Use of platelet rich plasma composition in the treatment of cardiac conduction abnormalities

Abstract

Methods and kits for treating a cardiac arrhythmia using a platelet rich plasma (PRP) composition are provided. Any type of arrhythmia may be treated using the PRP composition. The PRP composition may comprise PRP developed using blood collected from a patient suffering the cardiac arrhythmia. The PRP composition may be buffered to a physiological pH and may include one or more anti-arrhythmic agents, anti-coagulants, or other drugs. The PRP composition may be delivered using a nebulizer, minimally invasively, or surgically. In some embodiments, the PRP composition may be coated on one or more medical devices. The PRP composition may be delivered to an identified portion of the electrical conduction system of the heart affected and/or causing the arrhythmia to occur.

1 . A method for treating a cardiac conduction abnormality, comprising:
 identifying a cardiac conduction abnormality in a patient; and   delivering a platelet rich plasma composition to the patient in an amount sufficient to treat the conduction abnormality.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the conduction abnormality comprises a cardiac arrhythmia. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the patient has a negative cardiac enzyme elevation. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising monitoring the conduction abnormality after delivering the platelet rich plasma composition. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein delivering the platelet rich plasma composition comprises delivering the platelet rich plasma composition via a minimally invasive procedure. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein delivering the platelet rich plasma composition comprises delivering the platelet rich plasma composition using a catheter. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein delivering the platelet rich plasma composition comprises preparing an inhalable form of the platelet rich plasma composition and providing the inhalable form to the patient. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein delivering the platelet rich plasma composition comprises delivering the platelet rich plasma composition via a surgical procedure. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the platelet rich plasma composition may be prepared from whole blood of the patient. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the whole blood is withdrawn from the patient during a cardiac arrhythmia. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the conduction abnormality comprises a bradycardia. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the conduction abnormality comprises a tachycardia. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the conduction abnormality is ventricular tachycardia. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the conduction abnormality is ventricular fibrillation. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the conduction abnormality us caused at least in part by automaticity. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the conduction abnormality is caused at least in part by a reentry pathway. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the conduction abnormality is chronic. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the conduction abnormality is acute. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the conduction abnormality is episodic. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the platelet rich plasma composition is buffered to a physiological pH. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the physiological pH is between about  7 . 3  and about  7 . 5 . 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the amount sufficient to treat the cardiac arrhythmia is about three to about five cubic centimeters of the platelet rich plasma. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining a cardiac arrhythmia exists comprises using an electrocardiogram. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the electrocardiogram is recorded using a Holter monitor or a cardiac event monitor. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the platelet rich plasma composition is delivered to or adjacent to a sino-atrial node. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the platelet rich plasma composition is delivered to or adjacent to an atrioventricular node. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the platelet rich plasma composition is delivered to or adjacent to the Purkinje fibers. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the platelet rich plasma composition comprises an anti-arrhythmic agent selected from the group consisting of a sodium channel blocker, a beta blocker, a potassium channel blocker, and a calcium channel blocker. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising preparing the platelet rich plasma composition by adding an anti-arrhythmic agent to a platelet rich plasma composition. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the platelet rich plasma is prepared from whole blood of the patient. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the platelet rich plasma composition comprises an anti-coagulant. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the platelet rich plasma composition comprises a clotting agent. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the conduction abnormality comprises a heightened risk of a cardiac arrhythmia. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the conduction abnormality is due at least in part to reperfusion therapy. 
   
   
       35 . A kit comprising:
 one or more preparation devices for preparing platelet rich plasma;   one or more delivery devices configured to deliver a platelet rich plasma composition to conduction tissue of a heart; and   one or more anti-arrhythmic agents.   
   
   
       36 . The kit of  claim 35 , further comprising instructions for using one or more of the kit components. 
   
   
       37 . The kit of  claim 35 , further comprising one or more collection devices for collecting blood from a patient who has suffered or is suffering from the cardiac arrhythmia. 
   
   
       38 . The kit of  claim 35 , wherein one of the one or more preparation devices comprises a centrifuge. 
   
   
       39 . A method comprising:
 identifying a heightened risk of a cardiac arrhythmia in a patient; and   delivering a platelet rich plasma composition to the patient in an amount sufficient to treat the heightened risk of the cardiac arrhythmia.   
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein identifying the heightened risk is based on a past history of a cardiac arrhythmia in the patient. 
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein identifying the heightened risk is based on acute ischemic tissue damage. 
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the acute ischemic tissue damage has occurred within the last 24 hours. 
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein identifying the heightened risk is associated with reperfusion therapy to treat a myocardial infarction. 
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein delivering the platelet rich plasma composition occurs within about 24 hours of reperfusion therapy. 
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein delivering the platelet rich plasma composition less than about 24 hours before reperfusion therapy. 
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein delivering the platelet rich plasma composition less than about 24 hours after reperfusion therapy. 
   
   
       46 . A method of reducing conduction resistance to an electrical stimulation device designed to maintain cardiac rhythm comprising delivering a composition comprising platelet rich plasma to an area of cardiac tissue, wherein said electrical stimulation device is operably coupled to cardiac tissue. 
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the electrical stimulation device is a pacemaker. 
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 46  wherein the electrical stimulation device is an implanted cardiac defibrillation device. 
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 46 , whereby resistance between the location wherein said electrical stimulation device is operably coupled to cardiac tissue and cardiac conductive tissue is reduced. 
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the electrical stimulation device is a pacemaker. 
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the electrical stimulation device is an implanted cardiac defibrillation device.