A multilumen catheter that maximizes the blood flow into and out of thepatient's vasculature while also providing for passive and/or active perfusionof tissue downstream of where the catheter resides in the vasculature. Theinventive catheter comprises a proximal end, a first distal and a seconddistal end with first and second lumens extending from the proximal end toeach of these distal ends to provide for blood circulation within one bloodvessel or between two different blood vessels. The second lumen, and anyadditional lumens so desired, may be positioned coaxially with or radiallyaround the first lumen. Redirecting means is provided at a distal end of atleast one of said lumens for directing blood in a direction generally oppositeof the direction of flow through said lumen.
