title: Saphenous vein bypass graft intervention and embolic protection devices: Time for reassessment (and revision of percutaneous coronary intervention guidelines).
abstract: Professional societies recommend embolic protection devices (EPDs) during percutaneous intervention of saphenous vein bypass grafts (SVGs; class I, level of evidence B). Practice patterns indicate that 21% of SVG interventions are performed with EPDs. Despite a single randomized trial that demonstrated efficacy for EPDs, other studies suggest that the benefits of EPDs are controversial. Consideration should be given toward performing a contemporary EPD trial to incorporate new technologies and pharmacotherapies; in the meantime, guideline recommendations for use of EPDs should be downgraded.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Beaumont Health, Royal Oak, Michigan.
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Safian
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000295:instrumentation; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D057505:Embolic Protection Devices; D004617:Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular; D006801:Humans; D062645:Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000637:transplantation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome