The evolution and revolution of drug coated balloons in coronary angioplasty: An up-to-date review of literature data

Magic Touch sirolimus-coated balloon: animal and clinical evidence of a coronary sirolimus drug-coated balloon

The Magic Touch sirolimus-coated balloon (SCB) was recently introduced in Europe and features robust clinical technology different from other devices on the market. This device is able to deliver a sufficient sirolimus dose to the target segment to reduce neointimal proliferation with very little exposure downstream and no apparent adverse effects at sustained high drug concentrations. The SCB represents a promising novelty within the drug-coated balloon arena due to its mid-term efficacy and safety in the treatment of coronary artery disease, especially in de novo and small-vessel coronary lesions. The purpose of this article is to provide an up-to-date overview of the currently available animal and clinical trial results, as well as to highlight ongoing trials on the Magic Touch SCB.

Angiographic and clinical impact of balloon inflation time in percutaneous coronary interventions with sirolimus-coated balloon: A subanalysis of the EASTBOURNE study

INTRODUCTION

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-coated balloon (DCB) is an attractive strategy for the treatment of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). The implantation technique strongly influences the outcome of DCB PCI: accurate and adequate lesion preparation, short delivery time and sufficient DCB inflation time are deemed crucial to warrant adequate drug transfer and mitigate the risk of immediate vessel recoil and flow-limiting dissections. However, the optimal DCB inflation time is unclear, current consensus documents suggesting 30-60 s based on Experts' opinion. However, clinical studies comparing the prognostic role of different inflation times are scarce and mainly involve paclitaxel-coated balloons. In this study we aimed to assess the impact of different inflation times in patients undergoing PCI with a sirolimus-coated balloon (SCB).

METHODS

We conducted a post-hoc analysis of the prospective, multicenter, EASTBOURNE study, classified into two study groups according to balloon inflation time: long (>30 s) versus short (≤30 s). The primary endpoint was target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 24-month follow-up. Secondary clinical endpoints were major adverse clinical events (MACE), death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), and BARC 2-5 bleedings. Furthermore, angiographic endpoints (the rate of bailout stenting and post-procedural TIMI flow <3) were also addressed.

RESULTS

A total of 2289 lesions (2092 in the long inflation group, 197 in the short inflation group) were included in the analysis. Median balloon inflation time was 60 s in the long inflation and 30 s in the short inflation group. The two study groups experienced a similar rate of TLR [6.2 % in the short versus 6.3 % in the long inflation group, p = 1.00] as well MACE (p = 0.683), death (p = 0.102), non-fatal MI (p = 0.822), and BARC 2-5 bleedings (p = 0.252). These results were consistent when considering subpopulations with different target lesion phenotypes (in-stent restenosis, de-novo lesions, large and small vessels). Interesting, the rate of bailout stent implantation and post-procedural TIMI flow <3 was higher in the short SCB inflation time, as compared to the standard strategy.

CONCLUSIONS

Short vs. long SCB inflation time is associated with a higher need of bailout stenting after PCI with SCB, with similar clinical outcomes at 24-month follow-up.

Systematic Review on Role of Drug Eluting Stent (DES) Versus Drug-Coated Balloon (DCB) in Small Vessel Coronary Artery Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review aims to explain the current advancements in the treatment modalities for small vessel coronary artery disease (SVCAD) and de novo lesions post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), focusing on drug-coated stents (DES) and drug-coated balloons (DCB). Its goal is to address the lack of standards in the management of these lesions and to assess the potential of DCB as a preferential treatment strategy over DES in the long term. RECENT FINDINGS: Technological advancements have improved drug-eluting stents (DES) and drug-coated balloons (DCB) which offer a more promising avenue for managing SVCAD. According to new data, DCBs, initially recognized for their efficacy in preventing restenosis within three to five years of stent placement, may offer superior outcomes compared to DES in certain clinical scenarios. This review shows that DCBs have a favorable therapeutic profile in the treatment of SVCAD, and they could be considered as an alternative to DES. Although the initial data is compelling, definitive conclusions cannot be met without further large-scale, long-term clinical trials. The implication of these findings suggests a shift in the future of SVCAD management and requires additional research to substantiate the long-term benefits of DCB use in SVCAD. Should ongoing and future studies corroborate the current evidence, DCB could emerge as the standard of care for SVCAD, significantly influencing clinical practices and future research.

Hydrophilic Coating Microstructure Mediates Acute Drug Transfer in Drug-Coated Balloon Therapy

Drug-coated balloon (DCB) therapy is a promising endovascular treatment for obstructive arterial disease. The goal of DCB therapy is restoration of lumen patency in a stenotic vessel, whereby balloon deployment both mechanically compresses the offending lesion and locally delivers an antiproliferative drug, most commonly paclitaxel (PTX) or derivative compounds, to the arterial wall. Favorable long-term outcomes of DCB therapy thus require predictable and adequate PTX delivery, a process facilitated by coating excipients that promotes rapid drug transfer during the inflation period. While a variety of excipients have been considered in DCB design, there is a lack of understanding about the coating-specific biophysical determinants of essential device function, namely, acute drug transfer. We consider two hydrophilic excipients for PTX delivery, urea (UR) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and examine how compositional and preparational variables in the balloon surface spray-coating process impact resultant coating microstructure and in turn acute PTX transfer to the arterial wall. Specifically, we use scanning electron image analyses to quantify how coating microstructure is altered by excipient solid content and balloon-to-nozzle spray distance during the coating procedure and correlate obtained microstructural descriptors of coating aggregation to the efficiency of acute PTX transfer in a one-dimensional ex vivo model of DCB deployment. Experimental results suggest that despite the qualitatively different coating surface microstructures and apparent PTX transfer mechanisms exhibited with these excipients, the drug delivery efficiency is generally enhanced by coating aggregation on the balloon surface. We illustrate this microstructure-function relation with a finite element-based computational model of DCB deployment, which along with our experimental findings suggests a general design principle to increase drug delivery efficiency across a broad range of DCB designs.

A New Frontier for Drug-Coated Balloons: Treatment of "De Novo" Stenosis in Large Vessel Coronary Artery Disease

Background: Drug-coated balloons (DCB) are a well-established option for treating in-stent restenosis endorsed by European Guidelines on myocardial revascularization. However, in recent years, a strategy of "leaving nothing behind" with DCB in de novo coronary stenosis has emerged as an appealing approach. Methods: We performed a systematic review to evaluate the current literature on the use of drug-coated balloons in the treatment of de novo stenosis in large vessel disease. Results: Observational studies, as well as randomized studies, demonstrated the safety of DCB percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in large vessel disease. The rate of major adverse cardiac events is even lower compared to drug-eluting stents in stable coronary artery disease. Conclusions: DCB PCI is feasible in large vessel disease, and future large, randomized studies are ongoing to confirm these results.