Proximal Endovascular Flow Blockage for Cerebral Protection during Carotid Artery Stenting: Results from a Prospective Multicenter Registry:

Purpose:To evaluate the feasibility of cerebral protection during carotid artery stenting (CAS) using the Mo.Ma device, which prevents cerebral embolization by proximal endovascular blockage of blood flow in the internal and external carotid arteries.Methods:In 14 European centers, 157 patients (121 men; mean age 68.0±8.3 years) were enrolled in a prospective registry between March 2002 and March 2003. Eligible patients had a symptomatic (>50%) or asymptomatic (>70%) stenosis of the internal carotid artery suitable for carotid stenting. Protected carotid stenting was performed with the Mo.Ma system, which occludes both the common and external carotid arteries via 2 independently inflatable compliant low-pressure balloons before any device is advanced across the lesion. Blood is aspirated through the catheter intermittently or at the end of the procedure.Results:The device was successfully positioned and stents were implanted in all cases. Diameter stenosis was reduced from 84.1%±7.8% to 6.7%±5.1%. The mea...