Fate of unprotected side branches as related to embolic complications during stent implantation for acute coronary syndromes using a distal protection procedure.

Coronary lesion stenting with aspiration and distal balloon occlusion is more often associated with embolic occlusion of interposed side branches when the branch arises at an angle of </=45 degrees and the artery containing the lesion is large. However, this event is infrequent, often resolving during the procedure and uniformly resolving by 6 months.