What are the Pathological Concerns and Limitations of Current Drug-coated Balloon Technology?

The use of endovascular therapy for peripheral artery disease and coronary artery disease has increased and spread worldwide and is considered as the foremost, guideline-based invasive treatment. Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) utilise anti-proliferative drugs similar to drug-eluting stents; however, the do not leave any permanent metallic scaffold. Excipients and drug formulations play a crucial role in innovative DCB technologies and allow for treatment of lesions where stents are not suitable. Although the significance of downstream embolic effects after DCB use remains uncertain, several preclinical studies suggest such side effects might pose safety concerns. Recently, a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of paclitaxel devices suggested an association between increased mortality and paclitaxel device use. Subsequently, unfavourable criticism of paclitaxel devices attracted much attention and gave rise to a discussion about the safety of such devices. In this review, we will focus on the novel DCB technologies from the standpoint of preclinical studies and clinical trials, as well as discuss current controversies regarding the increase in death rates from paclitaxel-coated DCBs versus control devices seen in a recent meta-analysis of randomised controlled clinical trials.