Impact of Scoring Balloon Angioplasty on Lesion Preparation for DCB Treatment of Coronary Lesions.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of scoring balloon angioplasty for drug-coated balloon (DCB) treatment in percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND

The scoring balloon angioplasty may play a pivotal role in enhancing the outcomes of DCB treatment.

METHODS

A total of 259 patients (278 lesions) with coronary artery disease successfully treated with DCB were retrospectively enrolled. The mean age of the patients was 62.2 ± 11.1 years, and the majority of patients were men (68.7%). The study's endpoint was defined as achieving an optimal angiographic result, which consisted of Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade 3, residual diameter stenosis ≤ 30%, and dissection less than type C after the procedure.

RESULTS

Angioplasty was performed for 61 lesions with a scoring balloon and 217 lesions with a non-scoring balloon. All lesions were TIMI flow grade 3 except two lesions in the non-scoring balloon group. The scoring balloon group had a higher prevalence of residual diameter stenosis ≤ 30% (68.9% vs. 39.6%, < 0.001), while severe dissection, defined as type C or greater, was observed less frequently (9.8% vs. 31.8%, = 0.001). Moreover, the scoring balloon group achieved a superior rate of optimal angiographic results (60.7% vs. 28.6%, < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, scoring balloon (OR: 3.08 [95% confidence interval, 1.47-6.58], = 0.003) and DCB balloon-to-artery ratios (OR: 5.46 [95% confidence interval, 1.43-21.93], = 0.014) were independent factors in the increasing rate of optimal angiographic result.

CONCLUSIONS

The application of a scoring balloon catheter for lesion preparation, aiming to make them suitable for DCB treatment, was associated with a decreased risk of severe dissection and a greater occurrence of optimal angiographic outcomes compared with non-scoring balloon angioplasty.