The use of a paclitaxel eluting balloon in small vessels

Original title: A Randomized Multicenter Study Comparing a Paclitaxel Drug-Eluting Balloon With a Paclitaxel-Eluting Stent in Small Coronary Vessels. The BELLO (Balloon Elution and Late Loss Optimization) Study Reference: Referencia: Azeem Latib et al J Am Coll Cardiol 2012;()doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2012.09.020

The utility of paclitaxel-eluting balloons to treat in-stent restenosis is known but data for novo lesions is more limited. 

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of paclitaxel-eluting balloons (PEB) compared with paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) for the reduction of restenosis in small vessels. This multicenter and prospective study randomized 182 patients with lesions in small vessels (reference diameter <2.8 mm) to receive a paclitaxel eluting balloon and provisional conventional stent (n = 90) or a paclitaxel-eluting stent. 

The primary endpoint of non-inferiority was late lumen loss with a delta of 0.25 mm. Secondary end points were binary restenosis, TLR and MACE, (death, myocardial infarction and revascularization), at 6 months. Both groups were well balanced except for the smallest diameter in PEB-treated vessels, (2.15 ± 0.27 mm vs. 2.25 ± 0.24 mm, p = 0.003). 20% of the PEB group required a conventional stent rescue after dilation. 

The primary end point was significantly lower with PEB compared with PES, (0.08 ± 0.38 mm vs. 0.29 ± 0.44 mm, p for noninferiority <0.001, p for superiority = 0.001). At 6 months both were similar in binary restenosis, (PEB 8.9% versus PES 14.1%, P = 0.25), TLR, (PEB 4.4% versus PES 7.6%, p = 0.37), and MACE, (PEB 7.8% versus DES 13.2%, P = 0.77).

Conclusion 

Small-vessel angioplasty using PEB had a lower late lumen loss with similar restenosis and revascularization than paclitaxel-eluting stents at 6 months.

Editorial Comment:

The results are promising, especially considering that the average size of the vessels was <2.5 mm. It would be very interesting to track this in a longer-term study and with a primary clinical purpose as well as a comparison against edge limus eluting stents.

SOLACI.ORG

More articles by this author

High Ischaemic Risk Criteria in Chronic Coronary Syndrome: Prevalence and Prognosis

Despite advances in the management of chronic coronary syndrome (CCS), including the widespread use of drug-eluting stents (DES) and the optimization of medical therapy,...

ACC 2026 | DKCRUSH VIII: IVUS or angiography to guide PCI in complex coronary bifurcations

Intracoronary imaging guidance has become an established recommended strategy in complex coronary lesions. In the specific setting of complex bifurcations, uncertainty remained regarding the...

ACC 2026 | OPTIMAL: IVUS Guidance in PCI of the Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is considered an equivalent alternative to coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis and...

ACC 2026 | IVUS-CHIP Trial: Intravascular ultrasound–guided versus angiography-guided complex PCI

Optimization of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in complex lesions remains a relevant clinical challenge. In this context, the IVUS-CHIP trial was designed to evaluate...

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related Articles

SOLACI Sessionsspot_img

Recent Articles

Coil embolization of segmental arteries as a spinal cord protection strategy prior to complex endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aorta

Spinal cord ischemia remains one of the most devastating complications in the repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysms, with incidences of up to 20–30% in extensive...

Mechanical thrombectomy versus anticoagulation in intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism: systematic review and meta-analysis

Intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) has anticoagulation as the standard treatment, while reperfusion strategies remain a matter of debate. In this context, mechanical thrombectomy has...

High Ischaemic Risk Criteria in Chronic Coronary Syndrome: Prevalence and Prognosis

Despite advances in the management of chronic coronary syndrome (CCS), including the widespread use of drug-eluting stents (DES) and the optimization of medical therapy,...