Microcrystalline paclitaxel-coated balloon for revascularization of femoropopliteal artery disease: Three-year outcomes of the randomized BIOPAC trial.

The aim of the BIOPAC trial was to determine long-term safety and efficacy of a novel microcrystalline paclitaxel-coated balloon (mcPCB) with a biocompatible polymer as an excipient in the treatment of occlusive femoropopliteal lesions. In this first-in-human prospective controlled randomized trial, 66 patients with femoropopliteal, symptomatic (Rutherford stages 2B to 5) occlusive arterial disease were randomized to either mcPCB (study group) or POBA (plain old balloon angioplasty) (control group) on a 1:1 basis. Late lumen loss (LLL) at 6 months was the primary endpoint of the study and serious adverse events (SAE: death, amputation, repeated revascularization) were considered a composite secondary endpoint.

Comparison of long-term outcomes after directional versus rotational atherectomy in peripheral artery disease.

Introduction: The rate of atherectomy utilization in peripheral artery diseases (PAD) is growing. The two atherectomy devices available on the market and used most frequently are the directional and rotational ones. Nonetheless, there is a lack of direct comparison between these two types of atherectomy in PAD.

Long term outcomes in diabetic patients treated with atherectomy for peripheral artery disease.

Background: The prevalence of diabetes has increased significantly in well-developed countries during the last decade and it continues to grow. Diabetes increases the risk of restenosis in patients treated percutaneously for peripheral artery disease. The present study sought to compare outcomes of atherectomy treatment in diabetic (DM) vs.

MynxGrip for Closure of Antegrade Puncture After Peripheral Interventions With Same-Day Discharge.

Background: This was the first prospective study to assess the safety and efficiency of MynxGrip vascular closure device (VCD) in peripheral interventions with antegrade access.

Methods And Results: We enrolled 66 consecutive patients from 1 center. All patients were discharged home on the day of procedure and were observed for adverse events at 1 and 30 days of follow-up.

Utilisation of bivalirudin and vascular closure devices for same-day discharge after percutaneous coronary and peripheral interventions.

Background: Currently the majority of coronary and peripheral interventions are performed with an overnight stay. This increases the cost and does not reduce logistic constraints on hospital resources. We hypothesised that by combining bivalirudin with vascular closure devices we can safely discharge patients on the same day after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) without increasing their risk of bleeding.

Safety and biocompatibility of a novel self-expanding nitinol carotid stent with hybrid cell design in a porcine model of neointimal hyperplasia.

Background: Stent design may influence the outcomes, suggesting that adverse event rates vary according to free cell area and cell design. Open cell design technology of self-expandable stents, dedicated for carotid revascularisation has better deliverability, although closed cell technology is expected to cause fewer thromboembolic events.

Aim: To evaluate the feasibility and vascular response of novel, hybrid cell, self-expandable nitinol stents (MER®, Balton, Poland) implanted into porcine carotid arteries.