Drug-Coated Balloons Applications in Interventional Cardiology.

BACKGROUNDS: Drug coated balloons (DCBs) are new on stented-based anti-proliferative drug delivery systems, recently introduced in interventional cardiology. Their primary aim is to transfer an anti-proliferative drug to reduce the subsequent neo-intima hyperplasia and to maintain the normal vessel diameter and function.

METHODS: A review of the most recent influential studies about DCBs in all the fields of interventional cardiology has been performed.

RESULTS: As demonstrated by different studies, DCBs have different theoretical advantages over Drug Eluting Stents (DESs), especially for the treatment of some endovascular lesions, as In-Stent Restenosis (ISR), coronary bifurcations, small vessels disease and peripheral artery disease at femoropopliteal and below the knee sites.

CONCLUSION: Despite the need of further studies are needed to elucidate the optimal use of DCBs their current use in interventional cardiology appears promising.