Intravascular Ultrasound vs Angiography-Guided Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty: The ULTIMATE Ⅲ Trial

Xiao-Fei Gao1, Zhen Ge1, Xiang-Quan Kong1

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.

Insights

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty significantly reduces late lumen loss in de novo coronary lesions compared to angiography guidance. This IVUS guidance improves outcomes for patients undergoing DCB angioplasty.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty is a viable treatment for de novo coronary lesions.
  • The role of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance in DCB angioplasty for de novo lesions requires further clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy of IVUS-guided DCB angioplasty versus angiography-guided DCB angioplasty in de novo coronary lesions.
  • To assess the impact of IVUS guidance on late lumen loss and target vessel failure.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized trial involving 260 high bleeding risk patients with de novo coronary lesions.
  • Patients were assigned to either IVUS-guided or angiography-guided DCB angioplasty.
  • Primary endpoint: in-segment late lumen loss (LLL) at 7 months; Secondary endpoint: target vessel failure at 6 months.

Main Results:

  • IVUS-guided DCB angioplasty resulted in significantly lower 7-month LLL (-0.10 ± 0.34 mm) compared to angiography guidance (0.03 ± 0.52 mm; P=0.025).
  • IVUS guidance led to a larger minimal lumen diameter and smaller diameter stenosis at 7 months.
  • No significant difference in bailout stent implantation or target vessel failure between groups.

Conclusions:

  • IVUS-guided DCB angioplasty demonstrates superior outcomes in reducing LLL for de novo coronary lesions compared to angiography guidance.
  • IVUS guidance is associated with improved vessel patency post-DCB angioplasty.
  • The ULTIMATE-III trial (NCT04255043) supports the use of IVUS guidance in specific DCB angioplasty procedures.
Abstract