Embolic protection devices for peripheral application: wasteful or useful?

Distal embolization following percutaneous intervention is a universal phenomenon that has been reported in various vascular beds. Distal emboli are also very common during lower extremity percutaneous peripheral interventions. Some data from case reports and registries are currently available. Clinical data have shown that the application of an embolic protection device in the lower limb arteries is safe. Prospective and, ideally, randomized trial data are warranted to justify the increased use of filters in lower extremity interventions, despite the obvious benefits that these devices provide. However, the clinical relevance of distal embolization in the lower extremity remains unquantified.