Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
Drug-Coated Balloon (DCB) angioplasty is similar to balloon angioplasty procedurally, but there is the addition of an anti-proliferative medication coating the balloon, as well as an excipient to aid in drug transfer.
Angioplasty with a drug-coated balloon is done in a catheterisation lab (“cath lab”). The doctor injects a special dye through a long, thin tube called a catheter into the bloodstream. The dye allows the doctor to view arteries on an x-ray monitor. A device with a small balloon on its tip is then inserted through an artery in the leg and is advanced through the arteries until it reaches the narrowed area. The balloon is inflated which flattens the plaque against the wall of the artery, opening the artery. Then the balloon is deflated and removed from the body. Once that is complete, a new balloon, which is coated with an anti-proliferative medication, is inserted through the same artery in the leg and is advanced through the arteries until it reaches the previously treated narrowed area. The balloon is then inflated, and the medication on the balloon surface is delivered to the artery wall and surrounding tissue. After a designated period of time, the doctor will deflate the balloon and remove it. They will then evaluate if any further treatment is necessary to maintain healthy blood flow through the area treated.
Benefits:
Aims to reduce narrowing of the artery which helps improve blood flow.
Risks:
- The insertion site may bleed or become infected.
- The balloon could tear the artery wall (Artery Dissection).
- The balloon could puncture the artery (Artery Perforation).
- The artery may become blocked again (Restenosis).
UC201503768a EN