Proximal protection during saphenous vein graft angioplasty: the Kerberos embolic protection system.

Percutaneous intervention in the setting of aortocoronary saphenous vein graft disease is associated with a significant risk of distal embolization. Devices intended to minimize the clinical impact of embolization have primarily utilized distally placed occlusive balloons or filters. Although such systems are often effective, distal protection does have limitations. We report a novel proximal embolic protection and rinsing system intended to overcome some of these limitations.