Interventional Radiology Registry 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

A Distal Protection Device is specifically designed to protect the blood vessels downstream from potential embolic particles that may be released during interventional procedures, such as balloon angioplasty or stenting. When a vessel is treated, there is a risk that plaque or thrombus (clots) can dislodge and travel downstream, potentially occluding smaller distal vessels. The primary function of a Distal Protection Device is to capture this debris or thrombus before it can enter the blood flow, thereby preventing any downstream complications such as ischemia in the organs or tissues supplied by those vessels.

Other options do not accurately capture the primary role of such devices. Preventing plaque from inflating refers more to the mechanics of a balloon angioplasty rather than protection of distal areas. Facilitating plaque delivery is not relevant to the protective function, as Distal Protection Devices focus on capturing materials rather than delivering them. Lastly, redirecting blood flow to the right ventricle does not align with the purpose of these devices since they are intended to maintain normal blood flow while preventing embolic events. Hence, the correct answer accurately reflects the functional intent of the Distal Protection Device in interventional radiology.