A device,
system and method for perfusing an oxygenated medium in the cerebral vasculature. In the case of bihemispheric brain
perfusion, it includes positioning pressure cuffs on upper extremities; providing a
catheter having a multi-region configuration with a
balloon; inserting the
catheter into a subclavian or
femoral vein; advancing the
catheter such that the
balloon is positioned substantially in the
superior vena cava junction substantially proximal to the take-off of the left innominate
vein. During a
perfusion mode, the cuffs and
balloon are inflated causing an increase in
cerebral blood flow, retrogradely; and oxygenated blood which may be cooled is pumped from a
femoral artery into the catheter for a suitable period. During a non-
perfusion mode the cuffs and balloon are deflated. The catheter has at least two regions, namely, guide wire and fluid delivery regions. Optionally, a separate
balloon inflation region may be provided. In the case of unilateral (single hemisphere) brain perfusion, it includes providing a catheter having a multi-region configuration with a balloon, inserting the catheter into a subclavian, jugular or
femoral vein, advancing the catheter such that the balloon is positioned in the
internal jugular vein on the side ipsilateral to the side of the brain requiring perfusion. In this unilateral
scenario where the balloon is inflated in the ipsilateral
internal jugular vein, no pressure cuffs are needed and only the balloon is inflated and deflated during the perfusion and non-perfusion
modes respectively.