Cerebral Protection Devices during Carotid Stenting

Carotid stenting has been a growing alternative to carotid endarterectomy for extracranial cerebrovascular disease. The risk of embolization during carotid angioplasty and stenting has led to the widespread adoption and use of cerebral protection devices. This chapter reviews the evidence for the use of various cerebral protection devices, the different types of devices currently available for use during carotid angioplasty and stenting, and their efficacy of emboli capture, including performance in different types of anatomy. Each of the three major types of embolic protection will be discussed, including distal filter protection, distal balloon occlusion, and proximal occlusion devices.