Table 2: Strengths and Weaknesses of Embolic Protection Devices.
| Proximal Occlusion | Distal Occlusion | Distal Filter | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maintenance of antegrade blood flow during intervention | - | - | + |
| Limited contrast opacification | + | + | - |
| Unlimited debris capture | + | + | - |
| Capture of debris <100 μm | + | + | - |
| Capture of soluble mediators | + | + | - |
| Shunting of debris into proximal side branches | - | + | - |
| Ease of use | Complex | Complex | Simple |
| Manoeuverability | Good | Good | Reduced |
| Crossing profile | NA | Low (2.7 Fr)* | High (3.2 Fr)** |
NA = not available.
*PercuSurge GuardWire (Medtronic).
**FilterWire EZ (Boston Scientific).