The evolution of embolic protection devices

Manipulation of atherosclerotic lesions with wires, catheters, balloons, stents and other intravascular devices during invasive procedures releases are associated with small, but clinically important and discrepant, rates of procedural complications, including cerebral and myocardial ischaemic events, cranial nerve injury and access site haematoma. Embolic protection devices (EPDs) may lower the rate of ipsilateral ischaemic events during CAS and...

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The importance of Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) in Coronary Artery Disease Management

Patients with insufficient oxygen supply to the heart, or myocardial ischemia, may benefit from coronary intervention (PCI), such as stenting of partially occluded vessels. The course of treatment for patients with CAD depends on disease severity. While coronary angiography is always performed prior to PCI, it may underestimate or overestimate the severity of specific cardiac lesions. In contrast, Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) provides a...

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Advances in mitral valve disease treatment

Treatment of mitral valve disease is a very common condition, affecting about 3% of the population. Recent years have seen major advances in minimally invasive mitral valve surgery and several new catheter-based techniques are being clinically evaluated. Indeed, percutaneous therapy has emerged as an option for treatment of mitral valve disease including regurgitation and prolapse for selected, predominantly high-risk patients. Many patients...

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