Reduction of stenosis due to intimal hyperplasia after stent supported angioplasty of peripheral arteries by local administration of paclitaxel in swine.

PURPOSE: To assess if local intra-arterial administration of paclitaxel using drug-coated balloons or an admixture of paclitaxel to contrast medium inhibits stenosis after percutanous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of peripheral arteries in a porcine overstretch model.

METHODS

Neointimal proliferation and stenosis were induced by overstretch and stenting of 40 peripheral arteries in 20 pigs. Paclitaxel was administered locally during PTA using coated balloons (n = 20) or dissolved in contrast medium (n = 10). Conventional balloons and contrast medium were used in a control group (n = 10). Reangiography with quantitative analysis was performed after 5 weeks.

RESULTS

On reangiography diameter stenosis and late lumen loss were significantly reduced by both methods of local drug delivery compared with control group; minimal luminal diameter was significantly larger in the treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Local short-term administration of paclitaxel during PTA of peripheral arteries using balloons or contrast medium as drug carriers reduced stenosis due to intimal hyperplasia.