Drug eluting balloon for treatment of peripheral vascular disease.

 
Drug eluting balloon for treatment of peripheral vascular disease is a new technology that until now was used for coronary artery stenosis. The main use of this technology is in patients with diabetic foot who, otherwise, would have amputation of the limb. During this percutaneous procedure, the doctor inserts paclitaxel eluting balloon to dilate the artery, no matter if it is a new or recurrent stenosis (re-stenosis).
This technology significantly reduces the rate of recurrent stenosis and is more effective over time, compared to the results of standard angioplasty with or without a stent.

Professor Yoffe says: "The new method is no more complex than the routine method. The doctor leaves the drug eluting balloon for 30 seconds to one minute allowing the sick artery to absorb the medicine. The big advantage of this drug coated balloon technology is in patients with diabetic foot and patients who suffer severe obstruction of the peripheral arteries that otherwise would have amputation of the limb. The drug coated balloon comes in various sizes that can reach most small and occluded arteries thus increasing the chances to open the obstruction and for long time. We hope that this treatment will contribute to this severe suffering group of patients".