Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Objective: To determine the efficacy of a covered stent prototype designed for protected carotid angioplasty to reduce cerebral embolization. Material and Method: The covered stent tested is made of nitinol, coated with a polyurethane membrane (MembraX{sup TM}; porous size 80 {mu}m). In a bench-top model (flow-rate 650 ml/min, pulsatile flow [dicrote] 123 Pulses/min, pressure 100/60 mm Hg [mean pressure 80 mmHg]) with inserted human carotid (n=6) stent implantation was performed (8/32 mm). Passed particles (mg) were determined in the effluent of a 100 {mu}m filter prior to intervention, after stent deployment and after final dilation (5 mm). Results: When stenting carotid arteries obtained from human cadavers, the highest rate of particle embolization was measured while crossing the lesion with the delivery device (6,8 mg; for all p<0,05), embolization after additional balloon angioplasty and particle rates measured in the effluent filter prior covered stent placement were ...