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Abstract

A perfusion filter catheter is used to capture potential emboli within the aorta during heart surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass. An expandable embolic filter assembly having fine filter mesh for capturing macroemboli and microemboli is mounted on a catheter shaft having a perfusion lumen with perfusion ports located upstream of the filter. The embolic filter assembly can be actively or passively deployed within the ascending aortic. An optional outer tube covers the embolic filter assembly to prevent premature deployment. Radiopaque markers, sonoreflective markers and/or an aortic transillumination system are provided to monitor the position of the catheter and the deployment state of the embolic filter assembly. The embolic filter assembly is configured to maximize the effective filter surface area when deployed. Embolic filter assembly configurations described include an elongated cone, a frustum of a cone, a trumpet-shape, a modified trumpet-shape, and helically, circumferentially and longitudinally convoluted shapes, as well as configurations having standoff members for centering the filter and holding the filter mesh away from the aortic walls when deployed. Oxygenated blood is perfused through the perfusion lumen and any embolic materials that might be dislodged are captured in the deployed embolic filter assembly. Embodiments are also described that combine the perfusion filter catheter with an aortic occlusion device, which may be a toroidal balloon, an expandable balloon or a selectively deployable external catheter flow control valve. The combined device allows percutaneous transluminal administration of cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegic arrest with protection from undesirable embolic events.

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