Drug-Coated Balloons for the Prevention of Vascular Restenosis

The concept that the balloon delivery of a short burst of an antiproliferative agent to a targeted vessel segment as feasible, safe, and effective has been validated in several preclinical and clinical studies with more in progress but has had some mixed results in selected coronary applications. There is still much to learn about the mechanisms and outcomes of the use of DCB, with the potential for improvements in what must be considered an early phase of the technology. Nevertheless, in a short time span, DCBs have demonstrated the capacity to have a significant impact on the practice of percutaneous cardiovascular intervention. © 2010 American Heart Association, Inc.