Efficacy and safety of cerebral embolic protection systems during transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a review of current clinical findings.

Clinical studies have not conclusively determined the efficacy of EPDs. Current ongoing large-scale RCT (PROTECTED TAVR [NCT04149535]) has the potential to prove their efficacy. Histopathological evaluation of debris captured by EPDs contributes to our understanding of the mechanisms of TAVR procedure-related embolic events and suggests the importance of preventing cerebral embolization of debris released during this and other structural heart procedures.