Benefit of embolic protection differs in different settings

The potential clinical benefit of embolic protection during percutaneous intervention is not a yes-or-no question but varies with the type of device used and the anatomic system involved. Initially developed and tested in saphenous vein grafts, embolic protection devices have now been applied in coronary (myocardial infarction), carotid, and renal settings. Results have been disapppointing for myocardial infarction, but seem more promising for carotid interventions, and are only just emerging in the renal system.

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