Method and composition for alleviating or preventing ischemic tissue damage

Abstract

A method for increasing collateral circulation includes providing a pharmaceutically acceptable synthetic cerebrospinal fluid that has a density different than that of the patient's naturally-occurring cerebrospinal fluid. The synthetic cerebrospinal fluid includes a vasodilator. The method further includes administering the synthetic cerebrospinal fluid to an intrathecal space of a patient through a lumbar access point to reach the intrathecal space of a patient.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for increasing collateral circulation:
 providing a pharmaceutically acceptable synthetic cerebrospinal fluid which is hyperbaric with respect to naturally-occurring cerebrospinal fluid, said synthetic cerebrospinal fluid comprising a vasodilator; and   administering said synthetic cerebrospinal fluid to an intrathecal space of a patient using a lumbar access point to access said intrathecal space.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said vasodilator is selected from at least one member of the group consisting of nitroglycerine, nitroprusside, a nitroprusside salt, sodium nitroprusside, arginine, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         3 . A method for treating an individual suspected of having a cerebrovascular event comprising:
 providing a quantity of synthetic cerebrospinal fluid having a density different from the density of the individual's naturally-occurring cerebrospinal fluid;   mixing a vasodilator with the quantity of synthetic cerebrospinal fluid; and   administering the synthetic cerebrospinal fluid vasodilator mixture to an intrathecal space of the individual.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the density of the synthetic cerebrospinal fluid is greater than the density of the individual's naturally-occurring cerebrospinal fluid. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the density of the synthetic cerebrospinal fluid is less than the density of the individual's naturally-occurring cerebrospinal fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said vasodilator comprises nitroglycerine, nitroprusside, a nitroprusside salt, sodium nitroprusside, and arginine, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising establishing a path for communication of the mixture to the individual's subarachnoid space. 
     
     
         8 . A method for treating or preventing ischemic damage comprising:
 providing a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier fluid having a first density, said first density being different than a specific density of the patient's naturally-occurring cerebrospinal fluid, said carrier fluid comprising a vasodilator; and   administering said carrier fluid to an intrathecal space of a patient; wherein said first density of said carrier fluid facilitates transfusion of the vasodilator throughout the intrathecal space of the patient.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the vasodilator is selected from the group consisting of nitroglycerine, nitroprusside, a nitroprusside salt, sodium nitroprusside, arginine, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the carrier fluid has an acidic pH. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the carrier fluid further comprises a neuroprotectant. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the neuroprotectant comprises spin trap agents, free radical scavengers, or anti-inflammatory agents. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the method further comprises administering the carrier fluid to the intrathecal space of the patient using a lumbar access point to reach the intrathecal space. 
     
     
         14 . A composition for increasing collateral circulation in a patient, comprising:
 a pharmaceutically acceptable synthetic cerebrospinal fluid, a density altering agent, and a vasodilator;   wherein composition includes a density, said density being different from a density of a patient's naturally-occurring cerebrospinal fluid.   
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein the vasodilator is selected from the group consisting of nitroglycerine, nitroprusside, a nitroprusside salt, sodium nitroprusside, arginine, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein the vasodilator is sodium nitroprusside. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 16 , wherein the density altering agent is dextrose. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the dextrose is present in the composition from about 5 percent to about 10 percent by volume. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein the composition has an acidic pH. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 14 , wherein the composition further comprises a neuroprotectant.