Atherectomy followed by drug-coated balloon angioplasty for below knee lesions in diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare the long-term outcomes of below the knee revascularization with percutaneous atherectomy followed by drug-coated balloon and revascularization with drug-coated balloon alone for symptomatic diabetic patients with peripheral arterial disease.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Between April 2015 and January 2020, total of 128 patients and 228 below the knee procedures were enrolled into this retrospective study. Sixty-five patients were treated with atherectomy followed by drug-coated balloon and 63 patients were treated solely with drug-coated balloon.

RESULTS

Technical success rates were similar in the AT+DCB group and DCB group. Target lesion revascularization (TLR) was found similar in both groups at 6-month follow-up. Clinically, driven repeat endovascular and surgical limb revascularization rates were also significantly lower at 12 and 24 months.

CONCLUSION

Combined usage of rotational atherectomy and drug-coated balloons for the treatment of diabetic patients with below-the knee arterial lesions and critical limb ischemia is associated with reduced long-term TLR rates and improved the long-term outcomes.