title: In vitro assessment of six aspiration catheters using a distal protection filter.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We assessed performance of 6 aspiration catheters for distal embolization using a distal protection filter in an in vitro experiment. In acute myocardial infarction, a distal protection filter is used for lesions likely to induce a distal embolism. Which aspiration cathether is most effective when used with a distal protection filter remains still unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 0.5-cm3 bolus of gelatin as a model of stagnant pools of coronary plaque debris was captured in the distal protection filter and aspirated by 6 aspiration catheters. We measured and compared the length of the suspended embolus matter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 6 catheters evaluated, the use of the Export Advance catheter (Medtronic) resulted in significantly shorter lengths of the suspended embolus matter compared to the use of the TVAC II (Nipro), Thrombuster III SL (Kaneka), and Rebirth Pro (Goodman) catheters (p < 0.01). The residual embolus matter in all cases had drained distally to the distal protection filter when the filter was retrieved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of the Export Advance catheter showed better performance using a distal protection filter in this in vitro experiment, and its use might be more effective in preventing distal embolisms in combination with a distal protection filter.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi, Japan. fujimuratatsuhiro7718@yahoo.co.jp.
authors.forename: Tatsuhiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fujimura
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okamura
authors.forename: Miyuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ando
authors.forename: Kousuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uchida
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tone
authors.forename: Fumio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yonezawa
authors.forename: Masafumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yano
mesh_terms: D057785:Catheters; D004617:Embolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000601:surgery*; D019152:Paracentesis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D062645:Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / Q000009:adverse effects*
keywords: acute myocardial infarction; aspiration catheters; distal embolization; distal protection device and filter no-reflow; percutaneous coronary intervention