title: Distal protection in cardiovascular medicine: current status.
abstract: Iatrogenic and spontaneous downstream microembolization of atheromatous material is increasingly recognized as a source of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Devising ways of reducing this distal embolization using a variety of mechanical means--distal protection--is currently under intense and diverse investigation. This review therefore summarizes the present status of distal protection. It examines the problem of distal embolization, describes the available distal protection devices, reviews those areas of cardiovascular medicine where distal protection devices are being investigated, and discusses potential future developments.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Concord Repatriation General Hospital and ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Concord, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Onn Akbar
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Ravinay
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bhindi
authors.forename: Aisling C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brieger
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kritharides
authors.forename: Harry C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lowe
mesh_terms: D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications; D021721:Balloon Occlusion / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000628:therapy; D052279:Creatine Kinase, MB Form / Q000097:blood; D004617:Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D008833:Microcirculation; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000628:therapy*; D010316:Particle Size; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000637:transplantation; D015607:Stents; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control; D016306:Vena Cava Filters
chemical_list: D052279:Creatine Kinase, MB Form