Distal protection in native coronary arteries during primary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction: Single-center experience

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Abstract
Distal embolization of plaque or thrombotic debris is one of the mechanisms involved in the ischemia/reperfusion injury during primary percutaneous intervention for acute occlusion of a native coronary artery. We tested the clinical application of maximal antiplatelet therapy with abciximab combined with one of two different systems of mechanical distal protection: balloon occlusion and aspiration (PercuSurge) in 24 cases and a distal filter (FilterWire Ex) in 10 cases. Feasibility, technical limitations, and pitfalls are described.