Prevention of distal embolization during coronary angioplasty in saphenous vein grafts and native vessels using porous filter protection

• Published in: Circulation (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 104; no. 20; pp. 2436 - 2441
• Main Authors: GRUBE, Eberhard, GERCKENS, Ulrich, YEUNG, Alan C, ROWOLD, Sascha, KIRCHHOF, Nicole, SEDGEWICK, Jerry, YADAV, Jay S, STERTZER, Simon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 13.11.2001; American Heart Association, Inc
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary - methods; Biological and medical sciences; Coronary Artery Disease - pathology; Coronary Artery Disease - therapy; Coronary Vessels - transplantation; Embolism - pathology; Embolism - prevention & control; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Micropore Filters; Middle Aged; Saphenous Vein - transplantation; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the heart; Human; Graft(material); Porous membrane; Treatment efficiency; Coronary artery; Instrumentation therapy; Homograft; Cuffed tube; Stenosis; Cardiovascular disease; Instrumental dilatation; Coronary heart disease; Embolism; Prevention; Treatment; Aortocoronary; Bypass; Filter; Saphenous vein; Surgery; Graft; Complication; Technique
• ISSN: 0009-7322; 1524-4539
• DOI: 10.1161/hc4501.099317

Although distal embolization and the "no-reflow" phenomenon are well described in saphenous vein graft (SVG) interventions, the frequency, magnitude, and characterization of embolized debris have not been evaluated in routine coronary interventions. A unique embolus protection device described herein provides a means of containing and retrieving plaque material dislodged during percutaneous coronary interventions. This report details the first clinical experience of the effectiveness and safety of an emboli protection system in 11 SVG lesions and 15 native coronary artery lesions. The AngioGuard Emboli Capture Guidewire (Cordis) consists of a PTCA wire with an expandable filter at the distal tip. The porous membrane permits normal distal blood flow, while trapping potential emboli by filtration. After crossing the lesion, the filter is expanded, and routine angioplasty is performed over the same wire. Emboli retrieval is achieved by collapsing the filter and retracting the emboli capture wire (ECW). In 26 patients, standard angioplasty was performed over the ECW; 20 of these 26 patients received a stent. Collected debris was sent for histopathological analysis. Plaque debris was retrieved after native coronary and SVG interventions in all cases. The ECW was positioned and retrieved without complications. No major adverse events occurred. Myocardial infarctions and no-reflow were not observed. The embolization of plaque fragments frequently occurs during coronary and SVG intervention. Distal embolization leading to microvascular obstruction and no-reflow could be successfully minimized by using the ECW.