Comparative Outcomes of Drug-Coated Balloon versus Bare Metal Stent Angioplasty in the Treatment of Femoropopliteal Artery Disease: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Femoropopliteal artery disease is a frequent complication of peripheral artery disease that frequently necessitates endovascular procedures. Drug-Coated Balloons (DCBs) are becoming the preferred choice in the treatment of femoropopliteal disease because they provide the same effect as stents without causing long-term obstruction to normal blood flow. We seek to assess the differences in clinical performances between DCB angioplasty and BMS implantation in patients with femoropopliteal artery disease. The study involved analyzing data from a variety of centers that performed endovascular revascularization for femoropopliteal plaques between 2018 and 2022. Participants were categorized according to the treatment they underwent. DCB angioplasty or BMS implantation. Primary outcomes assessed were the primary patency rates and TLR events at 1-, 2-, and 5-year follow-ups respectively. There was no significant difference in the rates of limb loss or death between patients receiving DCB angioplasty or BMS implantation. Analysis of subgroups revealed greater efficacy of DCB among patients with shorter Leg length and fewer comorbid diseases. DCB angioplasty achieves better patency and fewer reinterventions than BMS, without an elevated risk during the procedure. it's favorable to choose DCB over BMS in appropriate cases of femoropopliteal artery disease. Clinical guidance should be based on the outcome of additional randomized controlled trials aimed at validating these advantages over the long term.