Drug-coated Balloons in the Femoropopliteal Region: Dream or Reality?

Abstract

Peripheral arterial disease is a severe pathology. Several methods have been tested in order to increase the patency rate and the quality of life. The superficial femoral artery is considered a very difficult region due to the continuous movement of the leg that modify the length and the morphology of this vessel. Since their introduction, drug-coated balloons have been correlated with an increased patency rate. Several studies have been performed and nowadays a level 1 evidence is available. Not all the lesions can be treated successfuly with drug-coated balloons. For example in case of heavely calcified lesions vessel preparation is required. This can be performed with atherectomy, scorig balloon, lithoplasty in order to debulk the lesion and increase the drug uptake.