Drug Coated Balloons. Alternate to DES !

Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) have been used in #coronaryinterventions to treat in-stent #restenosis, #smallvesseldisease, and #complexlesionsubsets. The use of #DCBs in #cardiacinterventions has also been investigated as an alternative to drug-eluting stents (DES).

DCBs work by delivering a drug to the target lesion using a balloon coated with an anti-proliferative drug. The drug is released during balloon inflation, and the drug-coated balloon is then withdrawn from the artery, leaving the drug behind to inhibit restenosis.

In some studies, DCBs have shown promising results in reducing restenosis rates compared to traditional balloon angioplasty or bare-metal stents. However, the long-term efficacy and safety of DCBs in coronary interventions are still being evaluated, and more studies are needed to determine the optimal use and patient selection criteria for this technology.

There are several manufacturers of drug-coated balloons (DCBs) for use in cardiac interventions, including:

1. Medtronic: Their #IN.PACT Admiral DCB is designed for peripheral artery disease (PAD) and is FDA-approved for the treatment of femoropopliteal artery lesions.
2. Boston Scientific: Their #Ranger DCB is designed for PAD and is also FDA-approved for the treatment of femoropopliteal artery lesions.
3. Cook Medical: Their #Advance DCB is designed for PAD and is approved for the treatment of superficial femoral artery lesions.
4. B. Braun Melsungen AG: Their #ReX DCB is designed for the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) and is approved for use in Europe.
5. Surmodics: Their #SurVeil DCB is designed for CAD and is currently undergoing clinical trials in the United States.
6. Concept Medical: Their #MagicTouch SCB is a sirolimus-coated balloon for use in the treatment of CAD and is approved for use in Europe and other countries.

It's important to note that regulatory approvals and availability may vary by region and country. Patients should consult with their healthcare providers to determine the most appropriate treatment options for their specific condition.