Drug-coated balloons used in peripheral artery disease: experience from a single center

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective single-center study aimed to analyze immediate and follow-up results of using drug-coated balloons (DCBs) for treating peripheral arterial disease. METHODS: In this study, we identified a total of 75 patients who underwent DCB therapy at our institution. The ankle–brachial index (ABI) was measured before and after intervention. Intermittent claudication and whether there was healing of ulcers were determined by telephone. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 56 men and 19 women aged 38 to 87 years (68 ± 12 years). Twenty-three patients had Rutherford grade III, 15 had Rutherford grade IV, and 37 had Rutherford grade V. Seventeen patients had stents and 18 had the Rotarex system used. The postoperative ABI was significantly greater than the preoperative ABI (0.911 ± 0.173 vs 0.686 ± 0.249). Good results for treatment were obtained. Intermittent claudication and rest pain did not occur in subjects with Rutherford grades III and IV during follow-up. The amputation rate was 4.1% among all patients using DCB therapy during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: DCB therapy is safe and effective for treating peripheral arterial disease in real-world patients. Future prospective studies on this issue are recommended.