A percutaneous transluminal angioplasty device includes an embolic filter mounted to the catheter shaft at a location distal to the angioplasty balloon. Thus the filter can be down-stream from the blockage and can be properly positioned to capture embolic particles that may be set loose into the blood stream as the angioplasty procedure can be performed. The embolic filter can be normally undeployed against the catheter shaft to facilitate introduction and withdrawal of the device to and from the operative site. Once the angioplasty balloon can be properly positioned, however, means operatively associated with the embolic filter can be actuated to erect the filter to position a filter mesh across the lumen of the vessel.
