Drug-Coated Balloon vs Standard Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty for the Treatment of Atherosclerotic Lesions in the Superficial Femoral and Proximal Popliteal Arteries: One-Year Results of the MDT-2113 SFA Japan Randomized Trial

Difference in one-year late lumen loss between high- and low-dose paclitaxel-coated balloons for femoropopliteal disease

The objective of the study is to investigate the difference in 1-year late lumen loss (LLL) between the high- (IN.PACT Admiral) and low-dose (Lutonix) paclitaxel-coated balloon (PCB). Although a recent randomized clinical trial demonstrated no difference in efficacy endpoint between high- and low-dose PCB, it remains unclear whether high-dose PCB was superior to low-dose PCB in actual clinical practice. We enrolled 64 patients with 67 de novo femoropopliteal lesions who underwent PCB angioplasty at Kokura Memorial Hospital from May 2014 to March 2020 and subsequent follow-up angiography after 1 year. The primary endpoint was 1-year LLL, whereas the secondary endpoints were binary restenosis and clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR) after 1 year. The high- and low-dose PCB groups had 45 and 22 lesions, respectively. Although the low-dose PCB group had higher rates of coronary artery disease, hemodialysis, and chronic limb-threatening ischemia than the high-dose PCB group, the latter had a longer lesion length and more lesions with a TASC classification C or D than the former. The high-dose PCB group had a significantly lower LLL than the low-dose PCB group (0.40 ± 1.05 vs. 1.19 ± 1.03 mm; P = 0.003, respectively). Moreover, the high-dose PCB group had significantly lower rates of binary restenosis at 1 year than the low-dose PCB group (22.2% vs. 50.0%; P = 0.02, respectively). Moreover, negative LLL was only observed in the high-dose PCB group (33.3% vs. 0%, P = 0.005). The high-dose PCB group had a significantly lower LLL than the low-dose PCB group.

Twenty-Four-Month Safety and Effectiveness of TCD-17187 Drug-Coated Balloon for Treatment of Atherosclerotic Lesions in Superficial Femoral and Proximal Popliteal Artery

PURPOSE

In the present trial, the 24-month safety and effectiveness of the TCD-17187 drug-coated balloon (DCB) for the treatment of atherosclerotic lesions in the superficial femoral artery (SFA) and proximal popliteal artery (PA) were evaluated in Japanese patients.

METHODS

This was a prospective, multicenter, core laboratory-adjudicated, single-arm trial. From 2019 to 2020, 121 patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease were enrolled. The primary effectiveness outcome measure was primary patency. The safety outcome measure was the major adverse event (MAE) rate.

RESULTS

Age was 74.5 ± 7.3 years, and diabetes mellitus was present in 67.5%. Lesion length and reference vessel diameter (RVD) were 106.0 ± 52.6 mm and 5.2 ± 0.8 mm, respectively. Chronic total occlusion (CTO) and bilateral calcification rate (Grade 3 and 4 by peripheral arterial calcium scoring system (PACSS)) were 17.5% and 50.8%, respectively. The 24-month primary patency rate by duplex ultrasound was 71.3%, while freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR) was 87.0%. The MAE rate was 13.2% and all events consisted of CD-TLR. There were no instances of device- or procedure-related deaths major amputations throughout the 24 months. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed significant differences associated with loss of primary patency in the following characteristics: CTO, restenotic lesion and RVD.

CONCLUSION

This trial confirmed the safety and effectiveness of TCD-17187 DCB for atherosclerotic lesions of the SFA and/or proximal PA for up to 24 months.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 3, Cohort study.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr.cgi?function=brows&action=brows&recptno=R000038612&type=summary&language=J:Registration ID: UMIN000034122. Registration Date: September 13, 2018.

Methods, design, and initial results of an angiographic core lab from VOYAGER-PAD

Background: Anatomy is critical in risk stratification and therapeutic decision making in coronary disease. The relationship between anatomy and outcomes is not well described in PAD. We sought to develop an angiographic core lab within the VOYAGER-PAD trial. The current report describes the methods of creating this core lab, its study population, and baseline anatomic variables. Methods: Patients undergoing lower-extremity revascularization for symptomatic PAD were randomized in VOYAGER-PAD. The median follow up was 2.25 years. Events were adjudicated by a blinded Clinical Endpoint Committee. Angiograms were collected from study participants; those with available angiograms formed this core lab cohort. Angiograms were scored for anatomic and flow characteristics by trained reviewers blinded to treatment. Ten percent of angiograms were evaluated independently by two reviewers; inter-rater agreement was assessed. Clinical characteristics and the treatment effect of rivaroxaban were compared between the core lab cohort and noncore lab participants. Anatomic data by segment were analyzed. Results: Of 6564 participants randomized in VOYAGER-PAD, catheter-based angiograms from 1666 patients were obtained for this core lab. Anatomic and flow characteristics were collected across 16 anatomic segments by 15 reviewers. Concordance between reviewers for anatomic and flow variables across segments was 90.5% (24,417/26,968). Clinical characteristics were similar between patients in the core lab and those not included. The effect of rivaroxaban on the primary efficacy and safety outcomes was also similar. Conclusions: The VOYAGER-PAD angiographic core lab provides an opportunity to correlate PAD anatomy with independently adjudicated outcomes and provide insights into therapy for PAD. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02504216).

Incidence of Acute Thrombotic Occlusion and Its Predictors After Contemporary Femoropopliteal Endovascular Therapy in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease

PURPOSE

This study investigated the incidence of acute thrombotic occlusion (ATO) and its predictors after contemporary femoropopliteal (FP) endovascular therapy (EVT) for peripheral artery disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively examined 763 limbs (chronic limb-threatening ischemia [CLTI]: 44%, involving popliteal lesion: 44%) in 644 patients (mean age: 75±9 years, male: 71%, hemodialysis: 34%) who successfully underwent EVT with contemporary FP devices (drug-coated stent: n=220, stent graft: n=158, drug-eluting stent: n=150, drug-coated balloon [DCB]: n=235) from June 2012 to July 2020. The outcome measure was ATO defined as acute onset of claudication and/or signs of CLTI in combination with angiographic evidence of occlusive thrombus formation within the treated segment. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to identify baseline characteristics associated with the incidence of ATO after EVT treated with scaffold. To determine the impact of ATO occurrence and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) elevation on the subsequent composite outcome of mortality or major amputation, we developed the Cox model in which the trichotomous variable (free from ATO, ATO without CPK elevation, and ATO with CPK elevation) was a time-dependent covariate.

RESULTS

The 24-month incidence of ATO in the overall population was 4.3%±0.8% (DCB: 1.0%±0.7% vs scaffold: 5.8%±1.1%, p<0.01). Hemodialysis (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.63, p=0.02) and involving popliteal lesion (HR: 8.22, p<0.01) were independently associated with an increased risk of ATO in patients treated with scaffold. Both ATO without CPK elevation and ATO with CPK elevation were significantly associated with a composite outcome of mortality or major amputation comparing free from ATO, with an HR of 2.39 and 9.87, respectively (p=0.02 and p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

We found a substantial incidence of ATO after contemporary FP-EVT, particularly with scaffold. Hemodialysis and involving popliteal lesion were significantly associated with ATO risk in patients treated with scaffold. The occurrence of ATO, particularly with CPK elevation, was associated with an increased risk of a subsequent composite outcome of mortality or major amputation. The scaffold was safely used in patients without those risk factors of ATO, but a non-scaffolding strategy should be considered for patients with more risk factors.

CLINICAL IMPACT

The scaffold was safely used in patients without hemodialysis and involving popliteal lesion, but a non-scaffolding strategy should be considered for patients with those risk factors. The occurrence of ATO, particulary with CPK elevation, was of high risk of mortality or amputation.

Mortality, Safety, and Effectiveness of Paclitaxel-Containing Balloons and Stents in the Femoropopliteal Artery: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials since 2018

PURPOSE

To provide an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of safety and effectiveness outcomes with paclitaxel-containing devices.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating paclitaxel-containing balloons or stents in the treatment of femoropopliteal disease was performed. Pooled risk ratio (RR) was calculated using the inverse-variance, random-effects model in the assessment of primary patency, all-cause mortality, target limb major amputation, target lesion revascularization (TLR), and thrombosis.

RESULTS

In total, 19 RCTs were included comprising 4,284 participants. All-cause mortality rates did not differ significantly between the 2 arms at 12 months (RR, 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66-1.72; P = .80), 24 months (RR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.56-1.50; P = .73), 36 months (RR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.65-2.25; P = .55), or 48-60 months (RR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.66-1.39; P = .81) after intervention. Primary patency was significantly higher at 12 months in the paclitaxel-containing arm: 80.92% (1,438/1,777) versus 57.48% (607/1,056) in the control arm (RR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.30-1.59; P < .00001).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrates no statistically significant difference in all-cause mortality, target limb major amputation, or thrombosis with paclitaxel drug-eluting therapy to the femoropopliteal region. Additionally, improved and durable patency rates with a statistically significantly lower risk of clinically driven TLR with paclitaxel drug-eluting therapy have been demonstrated.

Impact of Procedural Techniques on Midterm Patency of Fluoropolymer-Based Drug-Eluting Stent Placed in the Femoropopliteal Artery

PURPOSE

To investigate the impact of compliance with recommended procedural techniques on the midterm patency of a fluoropolymer-based drug-eluting stent (FP-DES) in the femoropopliteal artery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 200 femoropopliteal lesions (chronic limb-threatening ischemia, 59%; chronic total occlusion, 41%) in 173 patients (male, 66%; diabetes mellitus, 62%; hemodialysis, 40%) with lower extremity arterial disease who underwent intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided endovascular therapy with FP-DES between January 2016 and July 2021. The primary outcome measure was restenosis, defined as a peak systolic velocity ratio of >2.4 based on the duplex US findings. The association between procedural techniques and incidence of restenosis was investigated using Cox proportional hazards regression models.

RESULTS

The 2-year cumulative incidence of restenosis was 19.5% (SD ± 3.3). Multivariate analysis revealed that noncompliance with recommended procedural techniques, such as plaque burden at the stent edge of <50%, a minimum stent area (MSA) of >12 mm2, and stent placement within the P1 segment, was independently associated with an increased risk of restenosis (hazard ratios [HRs], 3.22, 4.71, and 4.67 and P = .004, P < .001, and P < .001, respectively). The 2-year restenosis risk for procedures performed in compliance with all 3-technical criteria was 8.4% (SD ± 3.4), whereas the risks for those in compliance with 2-technical criteria or 0- or 1-technical criteria were 25.0% (SD ± 6.2) and 48.6% (SD ± 10.4), respectively. HRs relative to 3-technical criteria compliance were 3.79 (P = .007) and 11.85 (P < .001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Noncompliance with recommended procedural techniques, including plaque burden at the stent edge of <50%, MSA of >12 mm2, and stent placement within the P1 segment, was significantly associated with an increased risk of 2-year restenosis after FP-DES implantation in the femoropopliteal artery.

Head-to-Head Comparison of 2 Paclitaxel-Coated Balloons for Femoropopliteal Lesions

BACKGROUND

There is a scarcity of published head-to-head comparisons between different paclitaxel-coated angioplasty balloons. More prospective safety data to support the health care economic reimbursement processes are needed.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to report the safety and efficacy of the Passeo-18 Lux drug-coated balloon (DCB) (Biotronik AG) for the treatment of symptomatic peripheral artery disease caused by stenosis, restenosis, or occlusion of the femoral and/or popliteal arteries.

METHODS

A total of 302 patients were randomized 1:1 and assigned to the Passeo-18 Lux DCB (study device) group or the IN.PACT Admiral DCB (control device, Medtronic Vascular) group for testing of noninferiority. The primary efficacy endpoint was freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization at 12 months. The primary safety endpoint was a composite of freedom from device-/procedure-related death through 30 days postindex procedure, major target limb amputation, and clinically driven target vessel revascularization at 12 months.

RESULTS

At 12 months, 130 of 134 patients in the IN.PACT Admiral group had freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization (97.0%) compared with 137 of 141 patients in the Passeo-18 Lux group (97.2%). The primary safety endpoint showed 96.3% in the control group vs 95.7% in the study device group. The null hypothesis of inferiority on both efficacy and safety was rejected. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of primary patency at 1 year was 88.7% in the control arm vs 91.5% in the study device arm.

CONCLUSIONS

The Passeo-18 Lux and the IN.PACT Admiral DCBs demonstrate comparable results with excellent effectiveness and safety through 12 months for femoropopliteal interventions.

Efficacy and Safety of Atherectomy Combined With Balloon Angioplasty vs Balloon Angioplasty Alone in Patients With Femoro-Popliteal Lesions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Balloon angioplasty (BA), including drug-coated balloons (DCBs) and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), has traditionally been used to treat femoral-popliteal lesions. However, in recent years, atherectomy (ATH) has been proposed as a complementary approach. To assess the effectiveness of ATH compared with BA alone in patients with femoral-popliteal artery lesions, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

METHODS

We included RCTs that focused on patients with femoral-popliteal artery lesions and reported data on the use of ATH and BA therapy. Two reviewers conducted a literature search, refined the data, and assessed the risk of bias.

RESULTS

We included a total of 6 RCTs involving 399 patients with femoral-popliteal artery lesions. The use of ATH in combination with BA appeared to improve the patency rate at 12 months (odds ratio [OR]=2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.14-3.62). In addition, ATH with BA was associated with lower major amputation rates (MD=2.01, 95% CI=0.06-0.77, p=0.02) and a decreased likelihood of bailout stenting (OR=0.07, 95% CI=0.02-0.25, p=0.001). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 12 months, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), and distal embolization events. In addition, we performed subgroup analysis for different ATH devices and BA types.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on this meta-analysis, it can be concluded that the use of ATH in combination with BA is a safe and effective method for treating femoral-popliteal artery lesions. In addition, the patency rate at 1 year is superior to treatment with BA alone. Atherectomy also reduces the likelihood of amputation and bailout stenting. Clinicians should consider these findings when designing future RCTs and developing clinical practice guidelines.

CLINICAL IMPACT

This meta-analysis summarises a number of existing studies to advance understanding of the atherectomy devices and to reveal its potential. This new technique, when compared with drug coated balloon, shows the possibility of obtaining better clinical outcomes in femoro-popliteal lesions than drug-coated balloon alone, such as higher 12-month primary patency rates as shown in some studies. Currently, it is important to consider the appropriate technology applicable for individualised treatment. atherectomy devices seem to provide clinicians with additional options in clinical practice and to benefit patients in the future. This requires more high quality studies to explore the role and benefits of atherectomy devices in femoro-popliteal lesions.

Comparing Predictors Influencing Restenosis Following High-Dose Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty and Fluoropolymer-Based Drug-Eluting Stenting in Femoropopliteal Artery Lesions

PURPOSE

Despite widespread use of anti-restenosis devices, drug-coated balloons (DCBs) and drug-eluting stents (DESs), their appropriate use for femoropopliteal (FP) lesions has not been well investigated and the risk factors for restenosis have not been compared. To investigate risk factors associated with restenosis after endovascular therapy using DCB and DES for contemporary FP lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This single-center, retrospective, observational study evaluated 378 FP lesions in 273 patients treated with DCB (278 lesions in 193 patients) or DES (120 lesions in 106 patients). The DCB used was high-dose DCB (IN.PACT, Admiral. Medtronic, Inc.) and DES was fluoropolymer-based DES (ELUVIA, Boston Scientific). Vessel preparation failure was defined as a residual stenosis of ≥50% and a dissection grade of D or greater on pre-dilatation angiography. The outcome measure was restenosis, and factors associated with restenosis in the DCB and DES groups were assessed using a Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

The 2-year restenosis rate was not significantly different between the DCB and DES groups (29%±4% vs. 24%±5%, p=0.42). Interaction analysis demonstrated that popliteal lesions and plaque burden of ≥50% were restenosis-related factors for DES but not for DCB, whereas vessel preparation failure was a factor for DCB but not for DES (p<0.05). Vessel diameter of <6 mm and nodular calcification were risk factors in both groups (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

In contemporary FP lesions, smaller vessels and nodular calcification were shared restenosis-related factors for high-dose DCB and fluoropolymer-based DES. Popliteal lesions and plaque burden of ≥50% were restenosis-related factors for fluoropolymer-based DES and vessel preparation failure for high-dose DCB.

CLINICAL IMPACT

Shared and differential restenosis-related factors after endovascular therapy using high-dose drug-coated balloons (DCBs) and fluoropolymer-based drug-eluting stents (DESs) in contemporary femoropopliteal (FP) lesions are unclear. This single-center retrospective study included 378 FP lesions in 273 patients with lower-extremity arterial disease (high-dose DCB, 278 lesions in 193 patients; fluoropolymer-based DES, 120 lesions in 106 patients). Smaller vessels and calcified nodules were shared restenosis-related factors for both high-dose DCB and fluoropolymer-based DES, whereas popliteal lesions and plaque burden of ≥50% were restenosis-related factors for fluoropolymer-based DES and vessel preparation failure for high-dose DCB.

Advanced Endovascular Techniques for Limb Salvage

As the number of patients affected by peripheral arterial disease continues to increase, new technical approaches and devices have been developed to provide effective and durable treatment options that will lead to improved outcomes. While the mainstay of endovascular intervention remains mostly balloon-based, several innovative techniques and technologies are in development that may provide new solutions. This review highlights recent endovascular advancements in the management of chronic limb-threatening ischemia and additional adjunctive devices that are needed to improve lesion patency, reduce the need for reintervention, and lead to better patient-centered functional outcomes.

[Endovascular Therapy for Peripheral Artery Disease - Therapeutic Options for Treatment of Severe Calcification]

Calcified lesions are a major limitation of endovascular therapy of peripheral artery disease. Recently published studies evaluating the impact of lithotripsy (Disrupt III) and directional atherectomy (REALITY) as vessel preparation devices for calcified femoro-popliteal lesions prior to the final treatment with drug-coated balloons (DCB). Disrupt III, a randomized controlled trial comparing lithotripsy and regular balloon angioplasty for vessel preparation prior to DCB, and REALITY, a single-arm study of directional atherectomy prior to DCB angioplasty resulted in low provisional stent and dissection rates. Moreover, lithotripsy did result in a better 2-year patency rate as compared to predilatation with a regular balloon. Importantly, both vessel preparation strategies resulted in a low rate of post-procedural residual stenosis of >30%, the major predictor for loss of patency following DCB angioplasty in long-term.Lithotripsy is an emerging therapy concept for vessel preparation of calcified pelvic arteries prior to trans-femoral aortic valve implantation.In summary, vessel preparation of calcified arterial lesions by improving vessel compliance or reducing the plaque load represent promising technical methods reducing provisional stent rates and improving longer-term outcomes.

Endovascular revascularization strategies for aortoiliac and femoropopliteal artery disease: a meta-analysis

AIMS

Optimal endovascular management of intermittent claudication (IC) remains disputed. This systematic review and meta-analysis compares efficacy and safety outcomes for balloon angioplasty (BA), bare-metal stents (BMS), drug-coated balloons (DCB), drug-eluting stents (DES), covered stents, and atherectomy.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Electronic databases were searched for randomized, controlled trials (RCT) from inception through November 2021. Efficacy outcomes were primary patency, target-lesion revascularization (TLR), and quality-of-life (QoL). Safety endpoints were all-cause mortality and major amputation. Outcomes were evaluated at short-term (<1 year), mid-term (1-2 years), and long-term (≥2 years) follow-up. The study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021292639). Fifty-one RCTs enrolling 8430 patients/lesions were included. In femoropopliteal disease of low-to-intermediate complexity, DCBs were associated with higher likelihood of primary patency [short-term: odds ratio (OR) 3.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.44-4.24; long-term: OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.93-3.16], lower TLR (short-term: OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.22-0.49; long-term: OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.29-0.60) and similar all-cause mortality risk, compared with BA. Primary stenting using BMS was associated with improved short-to-mid-term patency and TLR, but similar long-term efficacy compared with provisional stenting. Mid-term patency (OR 1.64, 95% CI 0.89-3.03) and TLR (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.22-1.11) estimates were comparable for DES vs. BMS. Atherectomy, used independently or adjunctively, was not associated with efficacy benefits compared with drug-coated and uncoated angioplasty, or stenting approaches. Paucity and heterogeneity of data precluded pooled analysis for aortoiliac disease and QoL endpoints.

CONCLUSION

Certain devices may provide benefits in femoropopliteal disease, but comparative data in aortoiliac arteries is lacking. Gaps in evidence quantity and quality impede identification of the optimal endovascular approach to IC.

Relationship Between Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and Drug-Coated Balloon Restenosis in Patients With Femoropopliteal Arterial Disease

We investigated the relationship between neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and restenosis in patients with femoropopliteal arterial disease following drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty. Patients (n = 120) were divided into 3 groups according to the development of restenosis and the time of restenosis occurrence. The postoperative NLR was higher in the late-restenosis group than that in the no-restenosis group (3.53 vs 2.70; p = .011). In multivariate logistic analysis, postoperative NLR was an independent predictor of late restenosis (odds ratio: 1.404, 95% confidence interval: 1.073-1.839; p = .014). The postoperative NLR cutoff value for predicting late restenosis was 2.78 with a sensitivity of 80.8% and a specificity of 53.2% (area under the ROC curve was .666 (95% CI: .541-.791, p = .010). The incidence of late restenosis in the NLR ≥2.78 group was higher than that in the NLR <2.78 group (32.3 vs 9.1%; p = .002). Postoperative NLR is independently associated with late restenosis in patients treated with DCB for femoropopliteal arterial disease.

Impact of Cardiac Function on Loss of Patency in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease Presenting the Femoropopliteal Lesions Endovascularly Treated With New-Generation Devices

PURPOSE

The current study sought to investigate the impact of cardiac condition on loss of patency after endovascular therapy (EVT) using new-generation devices for femoropopliteal (FP) lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively studied 547 lesions (chronic limb-threatening ischemia: 44%, TASC II C/D lesion: 61%, chronic total occlusion: 37%, in-stent restenosis: 13%, involving popliteal arterial lesion: 45%) belonging to 416 patients (average age: 75±9 years, male: 69%, diabetes mellitus: 62%, hemodialysis: 33%) who underwent EVT with new-generation FP-specific devices (polymer-free paclitaxel-eluting stent, n=186; stent graft, n=119; fluoropolymer-based paclitaxel-eluting stent, n=29; interwoven stent, n=17; drug-coated balloon, n=196) from June 2012 to May 2019. Cardiac function was evaluated using echocardiography. The primary outcome measure was primary patency, which was defined as free from peak systolic velocity ratio (PSVR) >2.5 assessed by duplex ultrasound. Predictors for loss of patency were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

RESULTS

Overall 12 primary patency were 80.0±1.8%. After the multivariate analysis, reduced stroke volume evaluated by echocardiography (hazard ratio [HR]=0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.97-0.99, p=0.03), chronic heart failure (HR=1.76, 95% CI=1.05-2.97, p=0.03), and a smaller distal reference vessel diameter (HR=0.73, 95% CI=0.55-0.97, p=0.03) were significantly associated with loss of 12-month primary patency, whereas lesion length (HR=1.01, 95% CI=0.99-1.03, p=0.33) and presence of chronic total occlusion (CTO; HR=0.92, 95% CI=0.61-1.40, p=0.70) were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

The current study revealed that cardiac function represented by reduced stroke volume and presence of chronic heart failure as well as a smaller distal reference vessel diameter were significantly associated with loss of 12-month primary patency in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) presenting FP lesions endovascularly treated with new-generation devices.

Comparison of Drug-Coated Balloons vs Bare-Metal Stents in Patients With Femoropopliteal Arterial Disease

BACKGROUND

Endovascular treatment of femoropopliteal artery disease has shifted toward drug-coated balloons (DCB). However, limited data are available regarding the safety and efficacy of DCB vs bare-metal stents (BMS).

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to compare DCB vs BMS outcomes in a propensity-adjusted, pooled analysis of 4 prospective, multicenter trials.

METHODS

Patient-level data were pooled from 4 prospective, multicenter studies: the IN.PACT SFA I/II and IN.PACT SFA Japan randomized controlled DCB trials and the Complete SE and DURABILITY II single-arm BMS studies. Outcomes were compared using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). Clinical endpoints were 12-month primary patency, freedom from 36-month clinically driven target lesion revascularization, and cumulative 36-month major adverse events (MAE).

RESULTS

The primary analysis included 771 patients (288 DCB, 483 BMS). IPTW-adjusted demographic, baseline lesion, and procedural characteristics were matched between groups. The adjusted mean lesion length was 8.1 ± 4.7 cm DCB and 7.9 ± 4.5 cm BMS. The IPTW-adjusted Kaplan-Meier estimates of 12-month primary patency (90.4% DCB, 80.9% BMS, P = 0.007), freedom from 36-month clinically driven target lesion revascularization (85.6% DCB, 73.7% BMS, P = 0.001), and cumulative incidence of 36-month MAE (25.3% DCB, 38.8% BMS, P < 0.001) favored DCB. There were no statistically significant differences observed in all-cause mortality, target limb major amputation, or thrombosis through 36 months.

CONCLUSIONS

In a patient-level, IPTW-adjusted pooled analysis of prospective, multicenter pivotal studies, DCB demonstrated significantly higher patency, lower revascularization and MAE rates, and no statistically significant differences in mortality, amputation, or thrombosis vs BMS. This analysis supports DCB use vs BMS in moderately complex femoropopliteal lesions amenable to both treatments.

Vessel Patency and Associated Factors of Drug-Coated Balloon for Femoropopliteal Lesion

Background Although clinical trials have reported favorable outcomes after drug-coated balloon (DCB) therapy for femoropopliteal lesions, their real-world performance and predictors have not been well evaluated. This study aimed to elucidate 1-year freedom from restenosis and to explore the associated factors after a DCB for femoropopliteal lesions in clinical settings. Methods and Results This multicenter, prospective cohort registered 3165 de novo or restenotic femoropopliteallesions (mean lesion length, 13.5±9.3 cm; chronic total occlusion, 25.9%; severe calcification, 14.6%) that underwent successful DCB (Lutonix [24.2%] and IN.PACT Admiral [75.8%]) treatment between March 2018 and December 2019. Patency was assessed at 12±2 months. The primary outcome measure was 1-year freedom from restenosis and its associated factors. Bailout stenting was performed in 3.5% of patients. The postprocedural slow flow phenomenon was observed in 3.9% of patients. During a median follow-up of 14.2 months, 811 patients experienced restenosis. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of freedom from restenosis was 84.5% at 12 months (79.7% at 14 months). Focal, tandem, diffuse, and occlusive restenosis accounted for 37.4%, 9.8%, 18.9%, and 33.9%, respectively. Freedom from target lesion revascularization was 91.5% at 12 months. Risk factors independently associated with 1-year restenosis were a history of revascularization, smaller distal reference vessel diameter, severe calcification, chronic total occlusion, low-dose DCB, and residual stenosis. Conclusions The 1-year clinical outcomes after DCB use for femoropopliteal lesions in real-world practice was favorable. The additive risk factors were associated with a lower rate of freedom from restenosis.

Long-term outcomes after paclitaxel-coated balloon angioplasty of femoropopliteal arteries in Asian patients of the IN.PACT Global Study

OBJECTIVES

The long-term data on the use of drug-coated balloons (DCBs) for femoropopliteal atherosclerotic lesions in the real-world setting are limited, even more so for racially and geographically distinct populations. The present analysis reports the 5-year safety and effectiveness outcomes of a DCB in the Asian subset of the prospective, real-world IN.PACT Global Study.

METHODS

The IN.PACT Global Study was a prospective, multicenter, international, single-arm study designed to assess the long-term safety and effectiveness of the IN.PACT Admiral DCB in real-world participants with femoropopliteal artery disease. The present analysis included 114 Asian participants (138 lesions) treated in South Korea and Singapore. Assessments through 5 years included freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization, the safety endpoint (a composite of freedom from device- and procedure-related mortality through 30 days; and freedom from major target limb amputation and clinically driven target vessel revascularization within 60 months after the index procedure) and major adverse events.

RESULTS

In this prespecified Asian subset, there was a high incidence of diabetes mellitus (54.4%), hypertension (78.1%), coronary artery disease (43.9%), and concomitant below-the-knee vascular disease of target leg (39.5%). Mean lesion length was 17.4 ± 12.4 cm; 26.8% were in-stent restenosis, and more than half of the lesions were totally occluded (51.4%) and calcified (54.3%). The 5-year Kaplan-Meier estimate of freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization was 77.1% (95% confidence interval: 67.0%-84.5%). The safety composite endpoint was 76.0%; the cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality was 19.9%, and no major target limb amputations were reported through 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

This subset analysis of Asian participants from the IN.PACT Global Study demonstrated consistent results with the previously reported data of the IN.PACT Admiral DCB. The data confirm the durable clinical effectiveness and safety profile of the DCB through 5 years for femoropopliteal atherosclerotic disease in this real-world population.

Safety of paclitaxel-coated devices in the femoropopliteal arteries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Clinical benefit of paclitaxel-coated devices for patients with peripheral arterial disease has been confirmed in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A meta-analysis published in 2018 identified late mortality risk over a long follow-up period due to use of paclitaxel-coated devices in the femoropopliteal arteries, which caused enormous controversy and debates globally. This study aims to further evaluate the safety of paclitaxel-coated devices by incorporating the most recently published data.

Methods

We searched for candidate studies in PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, EMBASE (Ovid) online databases, government web archives and international cardiovascular conferences. Safety endpoints of interest included all-cause mortality rates at one, two and five years and the risk ratio (RR) was used as the summary measure. The primary analysis was performed using random-effects models to account for potential clinical heterogeneity.

Findings

Thirty-nine RCTs including 9164 patients were identified. At one year, the random-effects model yielded a pooled RR of 1.06 (95% CI [0.87, 1.29]) indicating no difference in short-term all-cause deaths between the paclitaxel and control groups (crude mortality, 4.3%, 214/5025 versus 4.5%, 177/3965). Two-year mortality was reported in 26 RCTs with 382 deaths out of 3788 patients (10.1%) in the paclitaxel arm and 299 out of 2955 patients (10.1%) in the control arm and no association was found between increased risk of death and usage of paclitaxel-coated devices (RR 1.08, 95% CI [0.93, 1.25]). Eight RCTs recorded all-cause deaths up to five years and a pooled RR of 1.18 (95% CI [0.92, 1.51]) demonstrated no late mortality risk due to use of paclitaxel-coated devices (crude mortality, paclitaxel 18.2%, 247/1360 versus control 15.2%, 122/805).

Conclusions

We found no significant difference in either short- or long-term all-cause mortalities between patients receiving paclitaxel-coated and uncoated devices. Further research on the longer-term safety of paclitaxel usage (e.g., 8- or 10-year) is warranted.

Registration

PROSPERO, CRD42021246291.

Clinical outcome of drug-coated balloons in patients with femoropopliteal chronic total occlusive lesions: results from the multicenter EAGLE study

Background

Several studies have reported the efficacy of drug-coated balloons (DCB) for simple femoropopliteal (FP) lesions. However, the effectiveness of DCB for FP chronic total occlusive lesions (CTO) is controversial. The present study investigated the clinical outcomes of DCB for FP-CTO.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively analyzed 359 limbs of 318 patients who underwent endovascular therapy with DCB for FP-CTO between July 2017 and February 2021 at seven cardiovascular centers. The primary endpoint was 12-month primary patency. The secondary endpoints were the 12-month rates of freedom from: (1) clinically-driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR), and (2) re-occlusion. The association of baseline characteristics with the 12-month restenosis risk was investigated using the Cox proportional hazards regression model.

Results

The 12-month rate of primary patency was 79.8% (95% confidence interval [95%CI], 75.1% to 84.8%), whereas the corresponding rates of freedom from CD-TLR and re-occlusion were 86.4% (95%CI: 82.6% to 90.4%) and 88.5% (95%CI: 84.7% to 92.4%), respectively. The bailout stent rate was 8.9%. Independent risk factors for restenosis were hemodialysis (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.18 [1.39 to 3.45]; P = 0.001), chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) (2.02 [1.33 to 3.07]; P = 0.001), and restenosis lesion (2.02 [1.32 to 3.08]; P = 0.001). Use of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) was identified as a protective factor for restenosis (0.54 [0.35 to 0.82]; P = 0.003).

Conclusions

Despite the low rate of bailout stent, DCB treatment for FP-CTO was effective in real-world clinical practice. Hemodialysis, CLTI, and restenosis lesion were independent risk factors for 12-month restenosis, and the use of DAPT significantly attenuated the risk of 12-month restenosis.

What should we expect from intravascular ultrasound use for complex femoropopliteal lesions?

In this review article, we summarize the clinical benefit of intravascular ultrasounds (IVUS) in the endovascular therapy (EVT) of complex femoropopliteal (FP) lesions. Due to the development of novel FP-dedicated devices, outcomes of FP-EVT have been improved. As a result, revascularization methods for the FP lesions have shifted to EVT. However, the long-term durability in complex FP lesions has not yet reached that of bypass surgery using autogenous vein. Strategies for EVT of complex FP lesions are still inconsistent and have room for improvement. Long-term results generally depend on the patient and lesion backgrounds but are also affected by the quality of the procedure. Previous reports have shown IVUS evaluation can better assess vessel size compared to conventional angiographic evaluation. In contrast to angio-guided EVT, which evaluates vessel size by inner diameter, IVUS can be evaluated it with an external elastic membrane, which leads to the selection of a more appropriate (basically, larger) size device. Conversely, angiographic evaluation underestimates the vessel size, suggesting that it may lead to insufficient result. Furthermore, IVUS can also assess the adequate guidewire route, presence of severe dissection etc. As the evidence so far shows, the use of IVUS may improve the quality of EVT procedure, resulting in improved long-term outcomes. In conclusion, despite the widespread use of IVUS in FP-EVT practice, it still conditionally applied. The purpose of IVUS in the EVT of complex FP lesions should be clarified. More evidence regarding the IVUS in complex FP lesions is needed.

Twelve-month safety and effectiveness of TCD-17187 drug-coated balloon for the treatment of atherosclerotic lesions in the superficial femoral and proximal popliteal artery

PURPOSE

The aim of this preapproval trial was to evaluate the 12-month safety and effectiveness of the TCD-17187 drug-coated balloon (DCB) for the treatment of atherosclerotic lesions in the superficial femoral artery (SFA) and/or proximal popliteal artery (PA).

METHODS

This was a prospective, multicenter, core laboratory adjudicated, single-arm trial. From October 2019 to November 2020, a total of 121 symptomatic peripheral artery disease patients with SFA and/or proximal PA lesions were enrolled. The primary effectiveness endpoint was 12-month primary patency defined as freedom from restenosis as determined by duplex ultrasonography in the absence of clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR). The safety endpoint was the major adverse event (MAE) rate defined as freedom from a composite of device- and procedure-related death within 30 days, and index limb major amputation and/or CD-TLR through follow-up.

RESULTS

Average age was 74.5 ± 7.3 years and the frequency of diabetes mellitus was 67.5%. Average lesion length and vessel diameter were 106.0 ± 52.6 and 5.2 ± 0.8 mm, respectively. The frequency of chronic total occlusion and bilateral calcification was 17.5% and 50.8% of patients, respectively. The 12-month primary patency rate calculated by Kaplan-Meier analysis was 81.1%, while 12-month freedom from CD-TLR was 95.8%. The MAE rate at 30 days was 1.7% and all events comprised CD-TLR. There were no instances of device- or procedure-related deaths, major amputations, or thrombosis throughout the 12-month evaluation period.

CONCLUSION

This preapproval trial confirmed the safety and effectiveness of TCD-17187 DCB in the treatment of atherosclerotic lesions in the SFA and/or proximal PA.

Methodology of the BIOPACT RCT, a Multi-center, Randomized, Non-inferiority Trial Evaluating Safety and Efficacy of Passeo-18 Lux Drug-Coated Balloon (DCB) of Biotronik Compared to the Medtronic IN.PACT Admiral DCB in the Treatment of Subjects with Lesions of the Femoropopliteal Artery

PURPOSE

Although effectiveness and safety of many different paclitaxel coated balloons in the treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are extensively studied, there is a lack of direct head-to-head comparison studies. To meet this need and to avoid potential "class-effects", the BIOPACT was set up. The purpose is to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the Passeo-18 Lux DCB (Biotronik) for treatment of patients with symptomatic PAD due to femoropopliteal lesions.

METHODS

302 patients are randomized in a 1:1 manner to treatment with either the Passeo-18 Lux DCB or the IN.PACT Admiral DCB (Medtronic) for testing of a formal non-inferiority hypothesis. The participants will be followed for 5 years. The primary efficacy endpoint is freedom from clinically-driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR) at 12 months, defined as any re-intervention at the target lesion due to symptoms, drop of ankle brachial index (ABI) > 20% or > 0.15 compared to post-procedural ABI. Primary safety endpoint is a composite of freedom from device/procedure-related death through 30 days post-index procedure, freedom from major target limb amputation and clinically-driven target vessel revascularization (CD-TVR) through 12 months post-index procedure. Secondary endpoints can be found at clinicaltrials.gov, ID NCT03884257.

DISCUSSION

As full enrolment was reached by the beginning of September, the investigators expect complete analysis of the primary endpoints by the end of 2022; Meanwhile preliminary results will be disclosed during 2022. As in terms of randomized head-to-head efficacy and safety analysis, this study on paclitaxel coated balloons may provide additional information to clinicians and healthcare providers. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03884257 LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2, Randomized trial.

Long-Term Outcomes of the 150 mm Drug-Coated Balloon Cohort from the IN.PACT Global Study

PURPOSE

Data on the long-term safety and effectiveness of drug-coated balloons (DCBs) for the treatment of long femoropopliteal atherosclerotic lesions in the real-world setting are rare. This study reports 3 year and 5 year outcomes of the pre-specified 150 mm balloon sub-cohort of the IN.PACT Global Study.

METHODS

The IN.PACT Global Study was a prospective, multicentre, international, single-arm study evaluating the performance of the IN.PACT Admiral DCB in real-world patients with femoropopliteal atherosclerotic disease. This pre-specified 150 mm DCB cohort analysis comprised 107 participants (111 lesions) with all target lesions treated with at least one 150 mm DCB.

RESULTS

Mean lesion length was 20.3 ± 9.2 cm; 18.0% had in-stent restenosis, 58.6% were totally occluded, and 17.1% were severely calcified. Through 60 months, the Kaplan-Meier estimate of freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR) was 72.7% [95% confidence interval (CI):62.4%-80.5%]. The safety composite endpoint (freedom from device/procedure-related death through 30 days; freedom from target limb major amputation and clinically driven target vessel revascularization through 5 years) was 70.5%. The cumulative incidence of major amputation was 1.0% and all-cause mortality was 18.4%. Freedom from CD-TLR rates in the provisional stented and non-stented subgroups through 36 months were 64.0% [95% CI: 46.1%-77.3%] and 81.9% [95% CI: 69.7%-89.6%] (log-rank p = 0.074), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate sustained long-term safety of the 150 mm IN.PACT Admiral DCB for long femoropopliteal atherosclerotic lesions in real-world patients. In particular, the results show that DCB angioplasty is an effective revascularization modality in long complex lesions.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov identifier: NCT01609296.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 3, Cohort Study.

Directional atherectomy and drug-coated balloon angioplasty vs. bare nitinol stent angioplasty for femoropopliteal artery lesions

Background: The present study evaluated the prognosis of directional atherectomy (DA)+drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty for femoropopliteal artery lesions compared with bare nitinol stent (BNS). Patients and methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients with femoropopliteal artery lesions who underwent percutaneous endovascular surgery between January 2016 and June 2019. The primary outcome was the primary patency rate after 12, 24, and 36 months; the secondary outcomes comprised incidence of flow-limiting dissections, technical success, limb salvage, and all-cause death. Results: During the study period, 110 (44%) patients underwent DA+DCB, and 140 (56%) patients underwent bare nitinol stent (BNS). There were no differences in the 12- and 24-month patency rates of the two groups (98.2% vs. 93.6% and 68.2% vs. 60.0%, both p>.05). The 36-month primary patency rate in the DA+DCB group was significantly higher than that of the BNS group (27.3% vs. 15.7%, p=.003). The technical success rate and all-cause death were similar between groups (p>.05). Flow-limiting dissections occurred more frequently in the BNS group than in the DA+DCB group (27.9% vs. 10.9%, p=.033). After adjustment for potential confounders, such as sex, smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, ABI after surgery, TASC II B, lesion length ≥15 cm, two-vessel runoff, and three-vessel runoff, the HR for primary patency rate comparing BNS to DA+DCB was 2.61 (95%CI: 1.61-4.25). Conclusions: In this retrospective cohort study, DA+DCB was associated with a higher 30-month primary patency rate and a lower flow-limiting dissection incidence than BNS.

Network Analysis of Endovascular Treatment Strategies for Femoropopliteal Arterial Occlusive Disease

PURPOSE

Endovascular treatment of femoropopliteal arterial diseases remains controversial. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials aiming to investigate the efficacy differences between paclitaxel- or sirolimus-eluting stents, covered stents, drug-coated balloons, bare metal stents, and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

METHOD

MEDLINE, Embase, Ovid, and other relevant online material were searched up to October 21, 2020. Primary endpoints were primary patency and target lesion revascularization at 6, 12, and more than 24 months.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight eligible trials included 6026 patients. In terms of primary patency, drug eluting stents were ranked as the most effective treatment based on the surface under the cumulative ranking curve values at 6 (80.6), 12 (78.4), and more than 24 months (96.5) of follow-ups. In terms of target lesion revascularization, drug eluting stents were ranked as the most effective treatment based on the surface under the cumulative ranking curve values at 6 (90.3), 12 (71.3), and more than 24 months (82.1) of follow-ups. Covered stents and bare metal stents had higher ranks in target lesion revascularization than those in primary patency. Sirolimus stents had a higher rank than paclitaxel stents.

CONCLUSION

Drug eluting stents showed encouraging results in primary patency rates and freedom from target lesion revascularization at all phases of follow-up for femoropopliteal arterial diseases. Sirolimus stents appear to be more effective in femoropopliteal segment than paclitaxel stent.

Endovascular treatment of high-risk peripheral vascular occlusive lesions: a review of current evidence and emerging applications of intravascular lithotripsy, atherectomy, and paclitaxel-coated devices

Endovascular treatment of peripheral arterial disease has evolved and expanded rapidly over the last 20 years. New technologies have increased the diversity of devices available and have made it possible to approach even the most challenging and high-risk lesions using endovascular techniques. In this review, we examine the clinical evidence available for several categories of endovascular devices available to treat peripheral arterial disease, including intravascular lithotripsy, atherectomy, and drug-coated devices. The best application for some technologies, such as intravascular lithotripsy and atherectomies, have yet to be identified. In contrast, drug-coated devices have an established role in patients at high risk for long-term failure, but have been the subject of much controversy, given recent concerns about possible adverse effects of paclitaxel. Future investigation should further assess these technologies in patients with complex disease using updated staging systems and outcomes with direct clinical relevance, such as functional improvement, wound healing, and freedom from recurrent symptoms.

Twelve-Month Outcomes From the Japanese Post-Market Surveillance Study of the Viabahn Endoprosthesis as Treatment for Symptomatic Peripheral Arterial Disease in the Superficial Femoral Arteries

PURPOSE

To assess the midterm safety and effectiveness of the Gore® Viabahn® Endoprosthesis as treatment for symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the superficial femoral arteries (SFA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective, multicenter, post-market surveillance study was conducted in Japan. Patients with symptomatic SFA lesions ≥ 10 cm and reference vessel diameters ranging from 4.0 to 7.5 mm were eligible for enrollment; patients with traumatic or iatrogenic vessel injury in the thoracic, abdominal, or pelvic arteries were excluded. Outcomes evaluated at 12 months were primary patency (PP), primary-assisted patency (PAP), secondary patency (SP), freedom from target lesion revascularization (fTLR), occurrence of device- or procedure-related serious adverse events (SAEs), and stent fractures.

RESULTS

From August 2016 to May 2017, 321 patients were enrolled at 64 Japanese sites (mean age, 73.9±8.7 years; 77.3% male). Hypertension, diabetes, and end stage renal disease were present in 84.4%, 54.8%, and 23.1% of patients, respectively. Mean lesion length was 23.6 cm±6.6 cm, with lesions ≥ 15 cm in 271 patients (84.4%). TASC C/D lesions accounted for 86.6% (39.1% TASC C, 47.5% TASC D); 26.5% had critical limb ischemia. Baseline ABI was 0.60±0.16. A total of 562 devices were implanted in 324 limbs, with a majority of patients (68.8%) receiving 2 stents. Through 12 months, 92.1% of patients were evaluable. Kaplan-Meier-estimated PP, PAP, and SP at 12 months was 85.6%, 91.7%, and 94.8%, respectively. Twelve-month fTLR was 92.3%. Mean change in ABI at 12 months was 0.343±0.21; mean improvement in Rutherford class was 2.5. Device- or procedure-related SAEs occurred in 3.1% through 30 days, with a majority of early SAEs consisting of access complications. Through 12 months, a cumulative 10.6% had device- or procedure-related SAEs, with the most common being device occlusions in 4.0%. Lower limb amputation occurred in 0.9% and was related to pre-existing ulceration or gangrene in all 3 cases. No stent fractures were observed at 12-month x-ray evaluation.

CONCLUSION

In a real-world Japanese patient population characterized by long SFA lesions and complex PAD, the Viabahn endoprosthesis was associated with excellent patency rates through 12 months and an acceptable safety profile.

Real-World Clinical Outcomes of IN.PACT Admiral Drug-Coated Balloon for Femoropopliteal Artery Disease - 12-Month Results From Japan Post-Market Surveillance Study

BACKGROUND

To confirm the safety and efficacy of the IN.PACT Admiral drug-coated balloon (DCB) based on the indication approved by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency Japan in real-world patients with femoropopliteal artery disease.Methods and Results:IN.PACT PMS Japan was a prospective, multicenter, single-arm, post-market surveillance (PMS) study conducted in Japan that enrolled 304 participants (mean age 75.3±7.9 years). The primary endpoint was primary patency at 6 months following the index procedure, defined as freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR) and freedom from restenosis as determined by duplex ultrasound (DUS) peak systolic velocity ratio (PSVR) ≤2.4 (assessed by the independent DUS core laboratory). Secondary endpoints included acute outcomes, primary patency at 12 months post-index procedure, freedom from CD-TLR, and major adverse events at 12 months. The mean lesion length was 97.81±58.97 mm. The primary endpoint, 6-month primary patency, was 91.3% (240/263). Kaplan-Meier estimates of primary patency and freedom from CD-TLR through 12 months were 91.5% and 94.1%, respectively. The CD-TLR rate was 5.8% (14/240) with low rates of thrombosis (0.8%) and target limb amputation (0.4%) at 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this real-world PMS study were consistent with outcomes from previous IN.PACT DCB studies, confirming the safety and efficacy of the IN.PACT Admiral DCB for broader use in patients seen in everyday practice.

The impact of plaque morphology in patients with peripheral artery disease on vessel dissection: an intravascular ultrasound observational study

Drug-coated balloon (DCB) is now available for endovascular treatment (EVT) of superficial femoral arteries (SFA). Although it has been reported that severe vessel dissection after balloon angioplasty was risk of restenosis, it is difficult to predict the vessel dissection patterns before balloon angioplasty. We investigated the correlation between plaque morphology and vessel dissection pattern after balloon angioplasty using the intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). A total of 73 de novo SFA lesions were enrolled in this study. IVUS examinations were measured at the minimum lumen area in the control angiogram. Plaque morphology, minimum lumen area (MLA) and vessel diameter at the same point were evaluated before and after the initial balloon angioplasty. Vessel dissection patterns after the initial balloon angioplasty were classified into 7 types (A to F). There were no severe dissection patterns which were more than type D dissection in this study. All patients were treated with DCB without any bailout stenting. No dissection was found in 35.6% (26/73). Type A, B and C dissections were seen in 17.8% (13/73), 40% (27/73) and 9.6% (7/73), respectively. Although there were no relations between plaque morphology and vessel dissection patterns (p = 0.547), the MLA with dissection was larger than that without dissection (5.78 mm² versus 4.63 mm², p = 0.032). Although the dissection patterns could not be predicted in non-severe (Non or A to C) dissection, our result might suggest that IVUS image has the potential to reduce severe dissection.

3D modelling of drug-coated balloons for the treatment of calcified superficial femoral arteries

Background/Objectives

Drug-coated balloon therapy for diseased superficial femoral arteries remains controversial. Despite its clinical relevance, only a few computational studies based on simplistic two-dimensional models have been proposed to investigate this endovascular therapy to date. This work addresses the aforementioned limitation by analyzing the drug transport and kinetics occurring during drug-coated balloon deployment in a three-dimensional geometry.

Methods

An idealized three-dimensional model of a superficial femoral artery presenting with a calcific plaque and treated with a drug-coated balloon was created to perform transient mass transport simulations. To account for the transport of drug (i.e. paclitaxel) released by the device, a diffusion-reaction equation was implemented by describing the drug bound to specific intracellular receptors through a non-linear, reversible reaction. The following features concerning procedural aspects, pathologies and modelling assumptions were investigated: (i) balloon application time (60–180 seconds); (ii) vessel wall composition (healthy vs. calcified wall); (iii) sequential balloon application; and (iv) drug wash-out by the blood stream vs. coating retention, modeled as exponential decay.

Results

The balloon inflation time impacted both the free and specifically-bound drug concentrations in the vessel wall. The vessel wall composition highly affected the drug concentrations. In particular, the specifically-bound drug concentration was four orders of magnitude lower in the calcific compared with healthy vessel wall portions, primarily as a result of reduced drug diffusion. The sequential application of two drug-coated balloons led to modest differences (~15%) in drug concentration immediately after inflation, which became negligible within 10 minutes. The retention of the balloon coating increased the drug concentration in the vessel wall fourfold.

Conclusions

The overall findings suggest that paclitaxel kinetics may be affected not only by the geometrical and compositional features of the vessel treated with the drug-coated balloon, but also by balloon design characteristics and procedural aspects that should be carefully considered.

One-year results for Japanese patients in RANGER II SFA

The RANGER II SFA objective was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Ranger Drug-Coated Balloon (DCB) for treating superficial femoral artery and/or proximal popliteal artery lesions; the purpose of this cohort analysis is to assess the results among Japanese study participants. Patients eligible for RANGER II SFA had symptomatic lower limb ischemia (Rutherford classification 2-4) and were randomly assigned (3:1) to treatment with the Ranger DCB or standard percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). At 12 months, assessments included freedom from major adverse events (i.e., target lesion revascularization, major amputations, or death within 1 month of the index procedure) and core laboratory-assessed primary patency. Japanese patients (n = 102) comprised 27.1% of the overall study sample. Mean lesion lengths were 79.5 ± 44.0 mm and 84.0 ± 56.8 mm among Japanese patients treated with Ranger DCB (n = 77) or PTA (n = 25), respectively. All major adverse events were clinically driven TLRs (6.6% [5/76] for Ranger DCB and 16.0% [4/25] for PTA; p = 0.2194). Kaplan-Meier estimates of primary patency were 89.3% and 72.0%, respectively, at 12 months (log-rank p = 0.2134). Japanese patients treated with Ranger DCB maintained a high patency rate through 12 months and a low re-intervention rate.Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03064126.

Clinical Safety and Efficacy of Rotational Atherectomy in Japanese Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease Presenting Femoropopliteal Lesions: The J-SUPREME and J-SUPREME II Trials

PURPOSE

The purpose of the J-SUPREME (J-S) and J-SUPREME II (J-SII) trials was to evaluate the performance of the Jetstream Atherectomy System for the treatment of Japanese patients with symptomatic occlusive atherosclerotic lesions in the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The J-S and J-SII trials were both prospective, multicenter, single-arm clinical trials. Patients in J-S underwent Jetstream atherectomy followed by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), whereas those in J-SII had adjunctive drug-coated balloon (DCB) treatment following atherectomy. Patients were adults with Rutherford category 2, 3, or 4 and had stenotic, restenotic, or occlusive lesion(s) with a degree of stenosis ≥70 in the superficial femoral artery and/or proximal popliteal artery. In J-S, lesions were required to be calcified, and in J-SII lesions were required to be severely calcified.

RESULTS

A total of 50 patients were enrolled in J-S (mean age 72.3±8.7 years, lesion length 82.0±41.5 mm, 36% calcification PACSS Grade 3, 22% Grade 4) and 31 patients in J-SII (mean age 72.5±7.7 years, lesion length 122.6±55.6 mm, 19.4% calcification PACSS Grade 3, 77.4% Grade 4). No bailout stenting or bypass conversions were required. No major adverse events (MAEs) were reported for either trial through 1 month. The 6-month primary patency for J-S, with PTA alone following atherectomy, was 40.4% (19/47). The 6-month primary patency for J-SII, with DCB treatment following atherectomy, was 96.7% (29/30). At 6-month post-procedure, 79.2% (38/48) of patients in J-S, and 100% (30/30) of patients in J-SII had improved by at least 1 Rutherford category.

CONCLUSION

J-SUPREME trial results demonstrate procedural safety and efficacy of the Jetstream Atherectomy System and J-SII showed sustained patency through 6 months following combination treatment with Jetstream atherectomy and DCB.

The efficacy and safety of domestic and imported rapamycin drug-eluting stents and paclitaxel drug-coated balloons in the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions

OBJECTIVE

The study was designed to analyze the efficacy and safety of domestic and imported rapamycin drug-eluting stents (DES) and paclitaxel drug-coated balloons (DCB) in the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions.

METHODS

A total of 98 patients with coronary bifurcation lesions treated in our hospital from January 2019 to December 2019 were recruited as the study cohort and divided into four groups according to the different treatment method each patient underwent, including group A (n=25, treated with domestic rapamycin DES), group B (n=21, treated with imported rapamycin DES), group C (n=29, treated with domestic paclitaxel DCB), and group D (n=23, treated with imported paclitaxel DCB). The minimum lumen diameters (MLD), the diameter stenosis rates, the late lumen losses (LLLs), and the incidence of adverse events in each group were compared.

RESULTS

The MLD in the four groups were increased immediately after the surgeries and at nine months after the surgeries (P<0.05), and the diameter stenosis rates were decreased (P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the MLD or the diameter stenosis rates among the four groups before the surgeries, immediately after the surgeries, or at nine months after the surgeries (P>0.05). The LLLs of groups A and B were significantly higher than the LLLs of groups C and D (P<0.05). Compared with the incidences of major adverse cardiovascular events (16.00% vs. 14.29% vs. 13.79% vs. 17.39%) and the incidences of restenosis (8.00% vs. 4.76% vs. 6.90% vs. 4.35%) in groups A, B, C, and D, there were no significant differences (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Domestic and imported rapamycin DES and paclitaxel DCB can effectively improve MLD, reduce the diameter stenosis rate, and have fewer adverse events in the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions, and domestic and imported paclitaxel DCB have lower LLLs.

Clinical outcome of drug-coated balloon versus scaffold device in patients with superficial femoral artery chronic total occlusion

The demand for endovascular therapy is increasing in an aging society, but the problem of restenosis in the chronic phase has not been resolved in femoropopliteal occlusive disease. Few studies have compared drug-coated balloon (DCB) and scaffold devices in chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the superficial femoral artery (SFA). This study aimed to compare DCBs with scaffold in patients with CTO of the SFA. This was a single-center, retrospective study. From June 2018 to December 2019, we compared 31 patients and 33 limbs treated with DCBs and 44 patients and 45 limbs treated with a stent or stent-graft (scaffold) for SFA CTO. The primary endpoint was 12-month primary patency. The secondary endpoints were 12-month freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR) and 12-month freedom from re-occlusion. The DCBs were performed using an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided approach or a non-loop wire technique. Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. An intraluminal approach was performed to use all DCBs. The bailout stent rate was 0% in the DCB group. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that rates of 12-month primary patency tended to be higher in the DCB than in the scaffold group (92.7 vs. 76.6%, p = 0.073) and that freedom from CD-TLR also did not differ significantly between the two groups (96.8 vs. 86.3%, p = 0.17). Kaplan-Meier analysis also showed that the 12-month freedom from re-occlusion rate was significantly less in the Scaffold than in the DCB group (96.8 vs. 79.3%, p = 0.045). Therefore, we concluded that in treatment for CTO of the SFA, a DCB with intraluminal angioplasty without bailout stenting was less re-occlusion compared with scaffold.

24-Month Efficacy and Safety Results from Japanese Patients in the IMPERIAL Randomized Study of the Eluvia Drug-Eluting Stent and the Zilver PTX Drug-Coated Stent

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to report 24-month efficacy and safety results for the Japanese patient cohort in a prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) of drug-eluting stent (DES) use for peripheral artery disease.

Materials and methods

Patients in the global IMPERIAL RCT had femoropopliteal lesions treated with either the Eluvia DES (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA) or the Zilver PTX drug-coated stent (Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN, USA). At 24 months, assessments included duplex ultrasound imaging for core laboratory vessel patency measurement, target lesion revascularization (TLR) rates, and clinical outcome measures.

Results

The Japanese cohort included 84 patients (56 treated with Eluvia and 28 with Zilver PTX). The clinically driven TLR rates were 5.6% (3/54) and 18.5% (5/27) for patients treated with Eluvia and Zilver PTX, respectively (difference -13.0%, 95%CI -28.8, 2.9%; p = 0.11). The Kaplan–Meier estimates for freedom from clinically driven TLR at 24 months were 94.3% for patients who received Eluvia and 80.4% for those who received Zilver PTX (log rank p = 0.05), and for primary patency they were 88.5% and 80.4%, respectively (log rank p = 0.28). Mortality rates were 5.6% (3/54) and 11.1% (3/27); p = 0.39. Rutherford classification improved by at least one category without TLR for 91.8% (45/49) and 68.2% (15/22) of patients (p = 0.03). Walking impairment score improvements were sustained over time.

Conclusion

The results at 24 months support the efficacy and safety of DES in Japanese patients, with sustained clinical improvements and numerically fewer reinterventions for those treated with Eluvia.

Clinical trial Registration

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT02574481.https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02574481

Level of Evidence

EBM Level III; cohort analysis of randomized trial.

Roles of Angioplasty With Drug-Coated Balloon for Chronic Ischemia in Wound Healing

PURPOSE

Clinical trials have demonstrated sustained benefits of drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty compared with noncoated balloon angioplasty in symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) presenting with femoropopliteal (FP) artery disease. However, there is still controversy whether particulate embolization caused by crystalline paclitaxel, the so-called "downstream effect," is adversely associated with clinical outcomes after use of FP DCB among chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) patients. The current RADISH (Roles of Angioplasty with Drug-coated balloon for chronic ISchemia in wound Healing) study investigated wound healing following DCB therapy vs non-DCB therapy for real-world CLTI patients presenting with FP lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This multicenter, retrospective study analyzed 927 patients with CLTI (mean age, 76±10 years; male, 57.8%; diabetes mellitus, 64.5%; dialysis, 50.7%) presenting with FP lesions and treated endovascularly via DCB (138 patients) vs non-DCB therapy (789 patients) between April 2014 and March 2019. The primary outcome measure was 1-year wound healing, while the secondary outcome measure was 1-year primary patency. Clinically-driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR), limb salvage and overall survival were also analyzed by using propensity score matching analysis.

RESULTS

The propensity score matching extracted 111 pairs (as many patients in the DCB group and 629 patients in the non-DCB group). The 1-year cumulative incidence of wound healing (95% CI) was 74.4% (62.6% to 82.5%) in the DCB group and 71.9% (60.4% to 80.1%) in the non-DCB group, with no significant intergroup difference (p=0.93). The DCB group had a higher rate of primary patency (p=0.002) and freedom from CD-TLR (p=0.010) than the non-DCB group, whereas there was no significant intergroup difference in limb salvage (p=0.21) or overall survival (p=0.93).

CONCLUSION

The current analysis of data from the RADISH study demonstrated that DCB therapy did not lead to delayed wound healing and reduced restenosis rate in CLTI patients presenting FP lesions. From this results, DCB therapy would be a reasonable treatment option for CLTI patients.

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.

Network meta-analysis of drug-coated balloon angioplasty versus primary nitinol stenting for femoropopliteal atherosclerotic disease

OBJECTIVE

Primary nitinol stenting (PNS) and drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty are two of the most common endovascular interventions for femoropopliteal atherosclerotic disease. Although many prospective randomized controlled trials have compared PNS or DCB with plain balloon angioplasty (POBA), no studies have directly compared PNS against DCB therapy. The purpose of this network meta-analysis is to determine whether there is a significant difference in outcomes between PNS and DCB.

METHODS

The primary outcome measure was binary restenosis, the secondary outcome measures were target lesion revascularization (TLR) and change in the ankle-brachial index (ABI). Outcomes were evaluated at 6, 12, and 24 months. A literature review identified all randomized controlled trials published before March 2020 that compared DCB with POBA or PNS with POBA in the treatment of native atherosclerotic lesions of the femoropopliteal artery. Studies were excluded if they contained in-stent stenosis or tibial artery disease that could not be delineated out in a subgroup analysis. Network meta-analysis was performed using the network and mvmeta commands in STATA 14.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven publications covering 19 trials were identified; 8 trials compared PNS with POBA and 11 trials compared DCB with POBA. The odds of freedom from binary restenosis for patients treated with DCB compared with PNS at 6 months was 1.19 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63-2.22), at 12 months was 1.67 (95% CI, 1.04-2.68), and at 24 months was 1.36 (95% CI, 0.78-2.37). The odds of freedom from TLR for patients treated with DCB compared with PNS at 6 months was 0.66 (95% CI, 0.12-3.80), at 12 months was 1.89 (95% CI, 1.04-3.45), and at 24 months was 1.68 (95% CI, 0.82-3.44). The mean increase in ABI for patients treated with PNS compared with DCB at 6 months was 0.06 higher (95% CI, -0.03 to 0.15), at 12 months was 0.05 higher (95% CI, 0.00-0.09), and at 24 months was 0.07 higher (95% CI, -0.01 to 0.14).

CONCLUSIONS

Both DCB and PNS demonstrated a lower rate of binary restenosis compared with POBA at the 6-, 12-, and 24-month timepoints. When comparing DCB with PNS through network meta-analysis, DCB had a statistically lower rate of a binary restenosis and TLR at the 12-month timepoint. This network meta-analysis demonstrates that both DCB and PNS are superior to POBA, and that PNS is a satisfactory substitute for DCB when paclitaxel is not desirable.

Drug-Coated Balloon versus Bare Nitinol Stent in Femoropopliteal Artery: 12 Months Outcome from a Single Center in China

OBJECT

The study sought to compare the safety and effectiveness of drug-coated balloon (DCB) with bare nitinol stent in patients with complex femoropopliteal(FP) lesions in real-world practice.

METHODS

Patients with symptomatic (Rutherford stage 2 to 5) femoropopliteal lesions who underwent DCB or bare nitinol stent implantation at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of China-Japan Friendship Hospital from June 2016 to September 2017 were included. Demographics, angiographic and procedural variables were included. Freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR), primary patency and major adverse events were obtained from follow-up results at 3,6 and12 months. Descriptive analysis was performed on all variables.

RESULTS

A total of 90 eligible patients were enrolled, which included 51 DCB subjects (mean age, 63.1 ± 13.2 years; 76.5% male) with 55 lesions and 39 nitinol stent subjects (mean age, 66.5 ± 10.5 years; 61.5% male) with 42 lesions. Significant higher primary patency was observed in the DCB group compared with the stent group (74.5% vs. 52.4%; log-rank test P = 0.018; HR 0.335, 95%CI 0.124-0.903, P = 0.031). The rates of freedom from TLR (f-TLR) were 78.2% and 59.5% (log-rank test P = 0.032) for the DCB group and the stent group, respectively, at 12 months. CD-TLR rates were 18.2% vs. 38.1% with a P-value of 0.023. Female sex (HR 6.122, 95%CI 1.880-19.934, P = 0.003), lesion length over 20 cm (HR 5.514, 95%CI 2.312-13.148, P < 0.001) and renal insufficiency (HR 2.609, 95%CI 1.087-6.260, P = 0.032) were suggested as independent risk factors of reducing primary patency. There were no significant differences in major adverse events between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

The result above demonstrates that DCB treatment has higher primary patency and lower TLR at 12 months than nitinol stent. These data confirm the safety and effectiveness of the DCB for patients with complex femoropopliteal lesions.

Endovascular balloon angioplasty for infrainguinal arterial occlusive disease: Efficacy analysis

Background

We present early and mid-term clinical outcomes of endovascular revascularization for femoropopliteal involvement of peripheral arterial disease.

Methods

A total of 128 patients (113 males, 15 females; mean age: 63.4±9.9 years; range, 32 to 87 years) who underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for femoropopliteal lesions between August 2016 and April 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Treatment with Luminor® paclitaxel-coated drug-eluting balloon catheter or bailout therapy with iVolution® self-expanding nitinol stent were performed. Overall patency rates and freedom from reintervention rates were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier analysis. The primary patency and freedom from reintervention to target lesion rates at 12 and 24 months were evaluated.

Results

Technical success was achieved in 133 (93%) of the interventions with a median follow-up of 11 (range, 1 to 35) months. At 12 and 24 months, the mean overall patency rates were 85.6±3.7% and 66.8±6.7%, respectively and the mean freedom from reintervention to target lesion rates were 91.6±2.9% and 78.1±6.3%, respectively. The primary patency and freedom from reintervention to target lesion rates were significantly higher in the bailout stenting group than the drug-eluting balloon group at 12 months (97.3±2.7% vs. 94.8±6.1%, respectively, p=0.025 and 97.1±2.9% vs. 84.2±5.5%, respectively, p=0.005) and at 24 months (76.9±7.9% vs. 55.8±13.4%, respectively, p=0.025 and 85.2±7.0% vs. 70.2±13.6%, respectively, p=0.005).

Conclusion

Endovascular procedures including drug-eluting balloon and bailout stenting seem to be effective alternative treatment modalities for treatment of infrainguinal peripheral arterial disease and can be also used in patients with long lesions and/or total occlusion of femoropopliteal arteries.

A Retrospective Comparative Study of Twelve-Month Clinical Outcomes for Drug-Coating Balloon Angioplasty and Stent Implantation in Treating Patients with Popliteal Obstructive Lesions

PURPOSE

Despite increased interest in treating superficial femoral and popliteal arteries with endovascular technology, there is little data regarding comparative results of different treatment modalities in the popliteal artery. It was hypothesized that to improve clinical outcomes in this segment, drug-coating balloon (DCB) angioplasty would not be inferior to stent implantation.

METHODS

The records of consecutive Chinese patients with popliteal lesions who were treated with DCB or stenting between June 2016 and February 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. The preoperative demographic, lesion characteristics and postoperative outcomes were compared and statistically analyzed. All patients were divided into different subgroups according to the degree of calcium or degree of ischemia.

RESULTS

One hundred two consecutive patients with popliteal lesions were treated with DCB or stenting and 95 (93.1%) completed a follow-up. Critical limb ischemia was present in 70.5% and occlusions were present in 61.1% of patients. DCB angioplasty was performed on 43 patients and angioplasty with primary stenting was performed on 52 patients. There was no difference in twelve-month primary patency (79.1% vs 82.7%; P = 0.687), secondary patency (95.3% vs 94.2%; P = 0.808) and amputation-free survival (93.0% vs 94.2%; P = 0.825) between the DCB group and stent groups. In patients with severe calcium, the twelve-month primary patency (61.1% vs. 79.2%; P = 0.239) and amputation-free survival (83.3% vs 87.5%; P = 0.739) did not differ between the DCB and stent groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that DCB treatment in Chinese patients with popliteal atherosclerotic occlusive lesions can be associated with similar twelve-month patency and amputation-free survival compared to stenting, even in patients with severe calcification.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 3a, Non-randomized follow-up study.

Paclitaxel exposure: Long-term safety and effectiveness of a drug-coated balloon for claudication in pooled randomized trials

BACKGROUND

Paclitaxel drug-coated balloons (DCB) prevent recurrent claudication after angioplasty, yet data from randomized trials with incomplete follow-up have raised uncertainty regarding long-term mortality.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of paclitaxel exposure on the long-term safety and efficacy of angioplasty of femoropopliteal artery lesions in the combined IN.PACT randomized trials.

METHODS

The IN.PACT randomized trials (SFA, N = 331 and Japan, N = 100) each compared the DCB with standard percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for claudication, and consented patients for 5 and 3 years, respectively. To address long-term safety, sites were requested to obtain vital status follow-up. In the pooled, updated data set, we examined the association between randomized treatment and mortality by cumulative incidence and hazard ratio (HR), and freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR). Multivariable Cox regression with adjustment for baseline characteristics was used to evaluate the dose effect. Causes of death were adjudicated by a blinded clinical events committee that included oncologists with paclitaxel expertise.

RESULTS

The rate of long-term vital status ascertainment increased from 81% to 97% for DCB and from 85% to 97% for PTA in the IN.PACT SFA trial. The cumulative incidence of mortality was 14.7% DCB versus 12.0% PTA at 5 years, HR 1.39, log-rank p = .286. Paclitaxel dose (mg) was not an independent predictor of mortality (HR 1.02, p = .381), but was an independent predictor of reduced risk of CD-TLR (HR 0.79; p < .001). Causes of death did not differ by treatment arm.

CONCLUSIONS

In pooled randomized trial data with updated vital status ascertainment, paclitaxel was associated with improved efficacy but was not associated with increased mortality.

Three-Year Sustained Clinical Efficacy of Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty in a Real-World Femoropopliteal Cohort

Purpose: To report the 36-month outcomes from the prospective, multicenter, single-arm IN.PACT Global Study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01609296) evaluating the performance of the IN.PACT Admiral drug-coated balloon (DCB) in real-world patients with femoropopliteal occlusive disease. Materials and Methods: The IN.PACT Global Study was conducted at 64 international sites and enrolled 1535 patients with complex lesions, which included bilateral disease, multiple lesions, de novo in-stent restenosis, long lesions, and chronic total occlusions. The predefined full clinical cohort included 1406 patients (mean age 68.6 years; 67.8% men) with claudication or rest pain treated with the study DCB. Mean lesion length was 12.09±9.54 cm; 18.0% had in-stent restenosis, 35.5% were totally occluded, and 68.7% were calcified. Freedom from clinically-driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR) was evaluated through 36 months. The safety composite endpoint was freedom from device- and procedure-related death through 30 days and freedom from major target limb amputation and clinically-driven target vessel revascularization within 36 months. All safety and revascularization events were reviewed by an independent clinical events committee. Results: The Kaplan-Meier estimate of freedom from CD-TLR through 36 months was 76.9%. The composite safety endpoint was achieved in 75.6% of patients. The 36-month all-cause mortality rate was 11.6%, and the major target limb amputation rate was 1.0%. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of freedom from CD-TLR through 36 months was significantly lower in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) compared with claudicants (67.6% vs 78.0%; p=0.003). Lesions affecting both the superficial femoral artery (SFA) and popliteal artery had lower Kaplan-Meier freedom from CD-TLR through 36 months (69.2%) than either isolated SFA (79.7%) or popliteal artery lesions (76.5%; log- rank p<0.001). Predictors of CD-TLR through 36 months included increased lesion length, reference vessel diameter ≤4.5 mm, in-stent restenosis, bilateral disease, CLTI, and hyperlipidemia. Conclusion: DCB angioplasty with the IN.PACT Admiral DCB for femoropopliteal disease in a diverse and complex real-world population is associated with sustained clinical efficacy and low rates of reinterventions at 3 years after the initial procedure.

The IN.PACT DEEP Clinical Drug-Coated Balloon Trial: 5-Year Outcomes

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to evaluate the 5-year follow-up data of the IN.PACT DEEP (Randomized IN.PACT Amphirion Drug-Coated Balloon [DCB] vs. Standard Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty [PTA] for the Treatment of Below-the-Knee Critical Limb Ischemia [CLI]) trial.

BACKGROUND

Initial studies from randomized controlled trials have shown comparable short-term outcomes of DCB angioplasty versus PTA in patients with CLI with infrapopliteal disease. However, the long-term safety and effectiveness of DCB angioplasty remain unknown in this patient population.

METHODS

IN.PACT DEEP was an independently adjudicated prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial that enrolled 358 subjects with CLI. Subjects were randomized 2:1 to DCB angioplasty or PTA. Assessments through 5 years included freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization, amputation, and all-cause death. Additional assessments were conducted to identify risk factors for death and major amputation, including paclitaxel dose tercile.

RESULTS

Freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization through 5 years was 70.9% and 76.0% (log-rank p = 0.406), and the incidence of the safety composite endpoint was 59.8% and 57.5% (log-rank p = 0.309) in the DCB angioplasty and PTA groups, respectively. The rate of major amputation was 15.4% for DCB angioplasty compared with 10.6% for PTA (log-rank p = 0.108). Given the recent concern regarding a late mortality signal in patients treated with paclitaxel-coated devices, additional analyses from this study showed no increase in all-cause mortality with DCB angioplasty (39.4%) compared with PTA (44.9%) (log-rank p = 0.727). Predictors of mortality included age, Rutherford category >4, and previous revascularization but not paclitaxel by dose tercile.

CONCLUSIONS

Tibial artery revascularization in patients with CLI using DCB angioplasty resulted in comparable long-term safety and effectiveness as PTA. Paclitaxel exposure was not related to increased risk for amputation or all-cause mortality at 5-year follow-up. (Study of IN.PACT Amphirion™ Drug Eluting Balloon vs. Standard PTA for the Treatment of Below the Knee Critical Limb Ischemia [INPACT-DEEP]; NCT00941733).

Three-Year Results of the IN.PACT SFA Japan Trial Comparing Drug-Coated Balloons With Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty

Purpose:

To evaluate the 3-year safety and effectiveness of the MDT-2113 (IN.PACT Admiral) drug-coated balloon (DCB) vs percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in a Japanese population with femoropopliteal occlusive disease.

Materials and Methods:

The multicenter, prospective, IN.PACT SFA Japan randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01947478) was an independently adjudicated study evaluating Japanese participants randomized 2:1 to DCB (n=68) or PTA (n=32). The effectiveness endpoint was primary patency through 36 months, defined as freedom from clinically-driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR) and freedom from restenosis (by duplex ultrasound). The effectiveness endpoint was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method; estimates are presented with the 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The safety composite endpoint was freedom from device- and procedure-related death through 30 days and freedom from major target limb amputation and clinically-driven target vessel revascularization through 36 months.

Results:

Primary patency by Kaplan-Meier estimate was higher in the DCB group (68.9%, 95% CI 57.5% to 80.2%) vs the PTA group (46.9%, 95% CI 29.6% to 64.2%) at 36 months (log-rank p=0.001). The CD-TLR rates were 14.9% (10/67) for the DCB group and 20.7% (6/29) for PTA (p=0.554). The safety composite endpoint occurred in 83.6% (56/67) of DCB participants and 75.9% (22/29) of PTA participants (p=0.402). All-cause death was similar between groups at 36 months [DCB 6.0% (4/67) vs PTA 6.9% (2/29), p>0.999), with no device- or procedure-related deaths in either group.

Conclusion:

The final report of the IN.PACT SFA Japan trial showed that the IN.PACT Admiral DCB is safe and had durable outcomes through 3 years in Japanese participants with femoropopliteal occlusive disease.