Reduction of stenosis due to intimal hyperplasia after stent supported angioplasty of peripheral arteries by local administration of paclitaxel in Swine

Purpose: To assess if local intra-arterial administration of paclitaxel using drug-coated balloons or an admixture of paclitaxel to contrast medium inhibits stenosis after percutanous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of peripheral arteries in a porcine overstretch model. Methods: Neointimal proliferation and stenosis were induced by overstretch and stenting of 40 peripheral arteries in 20 pigs. Paclitaxel was administered locally during PTA using coated balloons (n = 20) or dissolved in contrast medium (n = 10). Conventional balloons and contrast medium were used in a control group (n = 10). Reangiography with quantitative analysis was performed after 5 weeks. Results: On reangiography diameter stenosis and late lumen loss were significantly reduced by both methods of local drug delivery compared with control group; minimal luminal diameter was significantly larger in the treatment groups. Conclusions: Local short-term administration of paclitaxel during PTA of peripheral arteries using balloons or contrast medium as drug carriers reduced stenosis due to intimal hyperplasia.