Proximal embolic protection with aspiration in percutaneous coronary intervention using the Proxis device.

Distal embolization during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) occurs in at least 15% of patients and is a strong predictor of more extensive myocardial damage and a poor prognosis. Several devices are designed to evacuate the intracoronary thrombus or to prevent distal embolization. The Proxis device is a proximal embolic protection system that completely blocks antegrade flow during PCI. It may prevent distal embolization during recanalization of thrombotic coronary occlusion and thus improve outcome. We created a registry of 172 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who underwent primary PCI with proximal embolic protection and aspiration. The mean ST-segment elevation resolution (STR) at 1 hour was 77.7%+/- 15.2; STR was greater than 50% in 94% and greater than 70% in 72% of patients. The 1-year cumulative major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events rate was 10.5%. The overall mortality at 1 year was 2.3%.