Peripheral embolic events during endovascular treatment of infra-inguinal chronic total occlusion

Reliance on angiographic detection of peripheral embolic events during endovascular treatment of peripheral arterial disease not only underestimates its true incidence but is the leading cause for underdeveloped embolic protection strategies during peripheral arterial interventions. Detection of distal embolic signals especially during percutaneous treatment of infra-inguinal chronic total occlusions (CTO) remains unknown. We report Doppler ultrasound detection of distal embolic signals, during phases of percutaneous intervention involving recanalization of a superficial femoral artery CTO.