APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR FILTERING EMBOLI DURING PRECUTANEOUS AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR PROCEDURES WITH FILTRATION SYSTEM COUPLED TO DISTAL END OF SHEATH
Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and methods for embolic filtering during percutaneous valve replacement and repair procedures. Under one aspect, an apparatus comprises a sheath and a filter. The sheath has proximal and distal ends and a lumen therebetween. The distal end may be introduced into the aortic arch via the peripheral arteries and ascending aorta, while the proximal end may be disposed outside of the body. The lumen permits percutaneous aortic valve replacement or repair therethrough. The filter has a frame with an inlet and an outlet and an emboli-filtering mesh attached to the frame. The inlet is substantially spans the aortic arch in a region between the aortic valve and the great arteries. The outlet is coupled to the distal end of the sheath without leaving any gaps through which emboli could pass and without obstructing the lumen at the distal end of the sheath.
