Peripheral Artery Disease and the Expanding Utility of Drug Eluting Balloons
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects millions worldwide, often leading to pain, mobility issues, and heightened cardiovascular risk. Drug eluting balloons play an important role in managing blockages in leg arteries by delivering anti-restenotic medication directly to the vessel wall.
These balloons are especially useful in the superficial femoral artery and popliteal artery—areas prone to restenosis after plain angioplasty. Their flexibility allows navigation through tortuous anatomy, while drug transfer helps maintain long-term vessel patency.
DEBs give PAD patients an option that minimizes the need for metal stents. Since peripheral arteries must bend and flex during walking, leaving no permanent implant improves comfort and reduces fracture risk.
Emerging evidence supports the use of DEBs in below-the-knee arteries, which are notoriously challenging to treat. These balloons continue to redefine minimally invasive PAD care.
FAQs
1. Are DEBs better than stents for leg arteries?




