A medical device having a catheter and one or more expandable
constricting/occluding members. The catheter is adapted for use with
therapeutic or diagnostic devices, including an angioplasty/stent catheter
and an atherectomy catheter. A first constrictor/occluder mounted at the
distal end of the catheter is adapted for placement in a brachiocephalic
or subclavian artery. A second constrictor mounted proximal to the first
constrictor/occluder is adapted for placement in the descending aorta.
Pressure measuring devices may be included, and filters may be used to
capture embolic debris. Methods of using the devices for preventing distal
embolization during extracranial or intracranial carotid procedures or
vertebral artery procedures by augmenting collateral cerebral circulation
by coarctation of the aorta to enhance reversal of blood flow in an
internal carotid artery, an external carotid artery, and/or a common
carotid artery toward the subclavian artery are disclosed.