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.