Distal Embolisation Protection Devices in Interventional Cardiology

Distal embolisation during the percutaneous revascularisation procedures can effect the prognosis negatively by causing myocardial injury and no-reflow. Because of the insufficient prevention of this condition by pharmacologic agents and new revascularisation techniques, various distal protection devices have been developed. With encouraging results of the first experiences of these devices, multicenter and randomized trials were planned and initiated for a more detailed evaluation. Periprocedural distal embolisation can be prevented especially in percutaneous interventions to the saphenous vein grafts or risky native coronary arteries, and it may be possible to achieve a better prognosis.