The invention provides 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. The
constrictor/occluder is mounted at the distal end of the catheter.
Manometers may be mounted distal to one or more constrictors for
measuring pressure distal to the constrictor(s). Methods of using the
devices are disclosed for preventing distal embolization during
extracranial or intracranial carotid artery, vertebral artery, or
coronary artery procedures, or procedures involving any vessel having
collateral flow by reversing flow in the diseased vessel.