Novel Sirolimus-Coated Balloon Catheter: In Vivo Evaluation in a Porcine Coronary Model.

Background: Limus-eluting stents are dominating coronary interventions, although paclitaxel is the only drug on balloon catheters with proven inhibition of restenosis. Neointimal inhibition by limus-coated balloons has been shown in few animal studies, but data from randomized clinical trials are not available. The aim of the present preclinical studies was to achieve high and persistent sirolimus levels in the vessel wall after administration by a coated balloon.