Cutting Balloon: Review on Principles and Background of Use in Peripheral Arteries

Efficacy of cutting balloon angioplasty versus high-pressure balloon angioplasty for the treatment of arteriovenous fistula stenoses in patients undergoing hemodialysis: Systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess and compare the therapeutic outcomes of cutting balloon angioplasty and high-pressure balloon angioplasty for arteriovenous fistula stenosis in hemodialysis patients. All studies indexed in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library Web of Science were retrieved. The retrieval deadline was July 15, 2023. Risk of bias 2.0 was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. Revman 5.4 software was used for data analysis. This review included three studies and 180 patients, with 90 patients in the cutting balloon angioplasty group and 90 patients in the high-pressure balloon angioplasty group. The results of the meta-analysis suggested that compared with high-pressure balloon angioplasty, cutting balloon angioplasty can improve primary lesion patency rates of internal arteriovenous fistulas at 6 months (relative risk, 1.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.96; P = 0.01). However, there were no significant differences between the technical success rate (relative risk, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.93-1.05; P = 0.72) and clinical success rate (relative risk, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 0.95-1.07; P = 0.73). Therefore, cutting balloon angioplasty is likely to increase primary lesion patency rates at 6 months. However, more high-quality, large-sample, multicenter, randomized controlled trials are needed for further validation due to the limited number of included studies.

Comparison of peripheral cutting balloon angioplasty with conventional balloon angioplasty for recurrent hemodialysis vascular access stenosis: A prospective randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of cutting balloon angioplasty (CBA) and conventional balloon angioplasty (control group) for recurrent vascular access stenosis in arteriovenous fistulas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective, randomized single-center clinical trial included patients with hemodynamically significant recurrent vascular access stenosis of an arteriovenous fistula. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess primary patency, whereas the log-rank test was used to evaluate differences in patency between groups. Functional evaluations were performed using Doppler ultrasonography.

RESULTS

Patients (n = 122) were randomly assigned to undergo CBA or conventional balloon angioplasty between December 2012 and November 2017. The clinical success rate was 100% in both groups. The anatomical success rates were 65% and 56% in the CBA and control groups, respectively. The primary patency of the target lesion was significantly better in the CBA group (33.3%) than in the control group (16.1%) at 6 months (hazard ratio, 0.50; 95% confidence interval, 0.33-0.77; p = 0.00171). The stenosis percentage decreased significantly after angioplasty in the CBA group (Δ-50.7%) compared with the control group (Δ-41.9%) (p = 0.0008). Access flow, measured using duplex Doppler ultrasonography, improved after angioplasty in both groups (300-526 ml/min in the control group and, 268-546 ml/min in the CBA group). Change in access flow (Δ + 278 ± 162) in the CBA group tended to be greater than that in the control group (Δ + 226 ± 151) (p = 0.07). However, the difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

In patients with recurrent vascular access stenosis of the arteriovenous fistula CBA is effective and superior to conventional angioplasty.

Advances in the Treatment of Pulmonary Valve Stenosis

Pulmonary valve stenosis represents the most common congenital heart defect of dogs and appears to be increasing in prevalence due to the growing popularity of brachycephalic breeds. Current treatments include beta-blockade and balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty, though evidence-based approaches to this disease are lacking. Balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty is most effective for fused, doming valves leaving a large population of dogs with thick, dysplastic valves that fail to respond adequately to balloon dilation. Transpulmonary stent implantation is an emerging therapy to consider for dogs with valve dysplasia or who have failed balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty; current experience with transpulmonary stent implantation is provided.

Load-sharing characteristics of stenting and post-dilation in heavily calcified coronary artery

In this work, stenting in non-calcified and heavily calcified coronary arteries was quantified in terms of diameter-pressure relationships and load transfer from the balloon to the artery. The efficacy of post-dilation in non-calcified and heavily calcified coronary arteries was also characterized in terms of load sharing and the changes in tissue mechanics. Our results have shown that stent expansion exhibits a cylindrical shape in non-calcified lesions, while it exhibits a dog bone shape in heavily calcified lesions. Load-sharing analysis has shown that only a small portion of the pressure load (1.4 N, 0.8% of total pressure load) was transferred to the non-calcified lesion, while a large amount of the pressure load (19 N, 12%) was transferred to the heavily calcified lesion. In addition, the increasing inflation pressure (from 10 to 20 atm) can effectively increase the minimal lumen diameter (from 1.48 to 2.82 mm) of the heavily calcified lesion, the stress (from 1.5 to 8.4 MPa) and the strain energy in the calcification (1.77 mJ to 26.5 mJ), which are associated with the potential of calcification fracture. Results indicated that increasing inflation pressure can be an effective way to improve the stent expansion if a dog bone shape of the stenting profile is observed. Considering the risk of a balloon burst, our results support the design and application of the high-pressure balloon for post-dilation. This work also sheds some light on the stent design and choice of stent materials for improving the stent expansion at the dog bone region and mitigating stresses on arterial tissues.

Treatment of Difficult, Calcified Lesions: Plaque Modification Strategies

Endovascular management of peripheral arterial disease is continually evolving. Most changes focus on addressing the challenges that hinder optimal patient outcomes; one of the most significant is how to best treat calcified lesions. Hardened plaque results in a variety of technical issues including impaired device delivery, decreased luminal revascularization, poor stent expansion, heightened risk of in-stent stenosis or thrombosis, and increased procedural time and cost. For this reason, plaque modification devices have been developed to mitigate this issue. This paper will describe these strategies and provide the reader with an overview of devices that can be used to treat chronically hardened lesions.

Endovascular Management of Thrombosed Dialysis Vascular Circuits

A functional hemodialysis vascular access is the lifeline for patients with end-stage kidney disease and is considered a major determinant of survival and quality of life in this patient population. Hemodialysis therapy can be performed via arteriovenous fistulas, arteriovenous grafts, and central venous catheters (CVCs). Following dialysis vascular access creation, the interplay between several pathologic mechanisms can lead to vascular luminal obstruction due to neointimal hyperplasia with subsequent stenosis, stasis, and eventually access thrombosis. Restoration of the blood flow in the vascular access circuit via thrombectomy is crucial to avoid the use of CVCs and to prolong the life span of the vascular access conduits. The fundamental principles of thrombectomy center around removing the thrombus from the thrombosed access and treating the underlying culprit vascular stenosis. Several endovascular devices have been utilized to perform mechanical thrombectomy and have shown comparable outcomes. Standard angioplasty balloons remain the cornerstone for the treatment of stenotic vascular lesions. The utility of drug-coated balloons in dialysis vascular access remains unsettled due to conflicting results from randomized clinical trials. Stent grafts are used to treat resistant and recurrent stenotic lesions and to control extravasation from a ruptured vessel that is not controlled by conservative measures. Overall, endovascular thrombectomy is the preferred modality of treatment for the thrombosed dialysis vascular conduits.

Treatment of Peripheral Pulmonary Artery Stenosis

Peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis (PAS) is an abnormal narrowing of the pulmonary vasculature and can form anywhere within the pulmonary artery tree. PAS is a congenital or an acquired disease, and its severity depends on the etiology, location, and number of stenoses. Most often seen in infants and young children, some symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, and tachycardia. Symptoms can progressively worsen over time as right ventricular pressure increases, leading to further complications including pulmonary artery hypertension and systolic and diastolic dysfunctions. The current treatment options for PAS include simple balloon angioplasty, cutting balloon angioplasty, and stent placement. Simple balloon angioplasty is the most basic therapeutic option for proximally located PAS. Cutting balloon angioplasty is utilized for more dilation-resistant PAS vessels and for more distally located PAS. Stent placement is the most effective option seen to treat the majority of PAS; however, it requires multiple re-interventions for serial dilations and is generally reserved for PAS vessels that are resistant to angioplasty.

Drug-eluting balloon: design, technology and clinical aspects

A drug-eluting balloon is a non-stent technology in which the effective homogenous delivery of anti-proliferative drugs is processed by the vessel wall through an inflated balloon. This is done to restore luminal vascularity in order to treat atherosclerosis, in-stent restenosis and reduce the risk of late thrombosis without implanting a permanent foreign object. The balloon technology relies on the concept of targeted drug delivery, which helps in the rapid healing of the vessel wall and prevents the proliferation of smooth muscle cells. Several drug eluting devices in the form of coated balloons are currently in clinical use, namely DIOR^®, PACCOCATH^®, SeQuent^®Please and IN.PACT™. The device varies in terms of the material used for making the balloon, the coating techniques, the choice of coated drug and the release pattern of the drug at the site. This review gives an insight into the evolution, rationale and comparison of the marketed drug-eluting balloons. Here, different coating techniques have been analysed for the application and critical analysis of available DEB technologies, and a technical comparison has been done.

Endovascular techniques in limb salvage: cutting, cryo, brachy, and drug-eluting balloons

The complex pathophysiology response to injury of the lower-extremity arteries has prompted the development of several unique balloon technologies to overcome initial technical failures and short-term intimal hyperplasia. Cryoplasty alters the cellular and mechanical properties of the vessel wall during angioplasty. Cutting balloons incise the wall, preventing elastic recoil and allowing expansion of the lumen at a lower pressure, thus limiting barotrauma. Drug-eluting balloons actively transfer inhibitory compounds to the wall during the initial therapy, while brachytherapy balloons allow for localized delivery of radiation to inhibit the proliferative response seen after angioplasty. These platforms provide unique means to enhance immediate and short-term results and also reduce stent usage in the lower extremity.

The Use of a Cutting Balloon for Dilation of a Fibrous Esophageal Stricture in a Cat

Esophageal strictures are uncommon in cats with causes including medications, ingestion of caustic substances, or gastroesophageal reflux under anesthesia. Bougienage and balloon dilation are the main treatments for strictures but have variable success rates. This paper describes the novel use of a cutting balloon for dilation of a fibrous stricture in a cat that was previously refractory to treatment with traditional balloon dilation.

Cutting-balloon angioplasty of resistant ureteral stenosis as bridge to stent insertion

Ureteral stenting is a routine, minimally invasive procedure performed for relief of benign or malignant obstruction. In case of ureteral stenosis, to allow a correct insertion of the stent, a predilatation of the ureter stenosis with a conventional balloon catheter can be necessary. In exceptional cases, it can be difficult to advance an 7-8 Fr JJ-catheter over a tight resistant ureter stenosis following unsuccessful high-pressure balloon dilatation. In the present report, we describe two cases of resistant ureter stenosis successfully dilated by a cutting-balloon following the failure of high-pressure balloon dilatation, allowing a correct and uncomplicated antegrade stent insertion.

Use of the Angiosculpt Scoring Balloon for Infrapopliteal Lesions in Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia: 1-Year Outcome

The AngioSculpt Scoring Balloon Catheter (AngioScore, Inc., Fremont, CA) is composed of a semicompliant balloon encircled by three nitinol spiral struts providing targeted lesion scoring on balloon inflation. Between April 2005 and April 2006, procedural and follow-up data on 31 patients (mean age 76 years; 54.8% males) endovascularly treated for severe infrapopliteal disease were collected. The AngioSculpt catheter was used to treat 36 complex, tibioperoneal, atherosclerotic lesions. All patients had symptomatic critical limb ischemia (Rutherford 4–5) and single-vessel runoff to the ankle. Complication-free survival at 1 month was the safety end point, whereas primary patency and limb salvage were the efficacy end points evaluated at 1 year. The AngioSculpt balloon was successfully inflated in all 36 target lesions. Eleven patients (35.5%) required additional stenting for minor dissections or suboptimal stenosis reduction. The 1-month complication-free survival was 96.8%. One-year survival, primary patency, and limb salvage rates were 83.9 ± 6.6%, 61.0 ± 9.3%, and 86.3 ± 6.4%, respectively. The 1-year data show the AngioSculpt Scoring Balloon Catheter to be an effective and safe treatment for infrapopliteal, atherosclerotic lesions in patients with critical limb ischemia. However, more patients, a longer follow-up, and randomized studies comparing it with conventional balloon angioplasty and stenting in the infrapopliteal region are required.

Endovascular superficial femoral artery treatment: can it be as good as bypass?

Care of the vascular patient has changed drastically during the last decade, with the introduction of endovascular therapies. Medical management and open surgical bypass have been the traditional options for superficial femoral artery (SFA) occlusive disease. Endovascular revascularization of the SFA, however, has been increasingly utilized during the past decade. Results of endovascular interventions for SFA stenoses and/or occlusions have been mixed. In addition, several different techniques have been developed to address similar lesions. This added complexity makes it difficult to compare endovascular therapies to surgical bypass. This review will discuss the difficulties in comparing open and endovascular therapies as well as outcomes of endovascular therapies. Finally, the role of endovascular interventions for SFA lesions in the future will be discussed.

Cutting balloon versus conventional balloon angioplasty in short femoropopliteal arterial stenoses

PURPOSE

To compare midterm results of cutting balloon angioplasty (CBA) to conventional percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for the treatment of short femoropopliteal arterial stenosis.

METHODS

Between February 2004 and June 2006, 84 consecutive patients (49 men; mean age 68.5 years, range 53-89) with a total of 142 focal (<3 cm), calcified femoropopliteal occlusive lesions underwent endovascular treatment via an antegrade approach: 40 patients (67 lesions) were treated with PTA and 44 patients (75 lesions) underwent CBA. Follow-up consisted of clinical examination and color duplex ultrasonography at intervals to 2 years.

RESULTS

All treatments were technically successfully, without any major complication. In 4 (6%) of 67 lesions treated with PTA, a self-expanding stent was implanted due to a flow-limiting dissection; no patient treated with CBA had recoil, dissection, or arterial tears requiring stent placement. In the PTA group, primary and secondary patency rates, respectively, were 91.0% and 95.5% at 6 months, 83.1% and 92.4% at 12 months, and 66.6% and 76.5% at 2 years. In the CBA patients, the primary and secondary patency rates, respectively, were 93.2% and 95.9% at 6 months, 90.4% (p<0.001 versus PTA at same interval) and 94.5% at 12 months, and 79.7% (p<0.001) and 85.6% (p<0.001) at 2 years.

CONCLUSION

CBA seems to be a valuable tool in the endovascular treatment of short femoropopliteal stenotic lesions, achieving better patency at midterm compared to conventional PTA.

Restoration of failed renal graft function after successful angioplasty of pressure-resistant renal artery stenosis using a cutting balloon: a case report

This study is the report of a 37-year-old male with a transplanted kidney from a 3.5-year-old donor: the graft had two arteries transplanted with an aortic patch to an external iliac artery. Four months after transplantation, the graft function deteriorated, together with the development of hypertension. Stenosis of both graft arteries was detected and the patient was referred for angioplasty. The angiographic result was suboptimal, nevertheless, the graft function improved and was more or less stable (serum creatinine, 160-200 micromol/l) for 4 years, along with persistently difficult-to-control hypertension. Five years after transplantation, the graft function deteriorated again and severe graft artery restenosis was detected. The restenosis did not respond to dilatation, graft function failed, hypertension decompensated, and left ventricular failure developed. The patient required dialysis. A cutting balloon angioplasty opened the artery, and kidney function was restored after a few days: the serum creatinine level dropped to 140-160 micromol/l, and the glomerular filtration rate (creatinine clearance) to 0.65 ml/min/1.73 m(2). The graft function has now been stable for more than 2 years, however, the hypertension is still difficult to control.

Cutting Balloon Angioplasty (CBA) Versus Conventional Balloon Angioplasty (PTA) in the Pre-Dilatation of Carotid Artery Stenosis: Our Preliminary Experience

A retrospective study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cutting-balloon angioplasty (CBA) for the predilatation of tight fibrocalcified carotid stenosis before carotid artery stenting (CAS). We also compared the intraprocedural results of CBA with those of conventional percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in terms of postdilatation rate. The study population was composed of 32 patients who underwent CAS requiring predilatation before stent implantation. In detail, predilatation was performed by using a conventional balloon (PTA) in 14 patients (group A) and a cutting balloon (CBA) in 18 patients (group B). Intraprocedural and periprocedural mortality, major and minor procedural and neurologic complications, arterial damage, and embolic debris found in the distal filter were recorded. We statistically compared the rate of postdilatation obtained in the two groups. Technical success was obtained in 100% of the cases. No death, major neurologic or periprocedural complications, or arterial damage were recorded in either group. Minor neurologic reactions were recorded in 1 patient from group A (4%) and in 1 patient from group B (3%). Embolic debris was found in the distal filter in 2 patients from group A (8%) and in 3 patients from group B (10%). Postdilatation was necessary in 14 patients from group A (100%) and in 9 patients from group B (50%) (p < 0.05). Although limited to a small number of patients, compared with PTA, CBA seems to be a safe and effective procedure for the predilatation of tight fibrocalcified carotid stenoses before stent placement and may decrease the need for postdilatation in this patient population.

Cutting Balloon Angioplasty Versus Standard Balloon Angioplasty for Failing Infra-inguinal Vein Grafts: Comparative Study of Short- and Mid-Term Primary Patency Rates

PURPOSE

To evaluate the results of a recent change in practice in our institution using cutting balloon angioplasty instead of standard balloon angioplasty as the primary treatment for failing infra-inguinal vein bypass grafts.

METHODS

In this nonrandomized cohort study with a historical control, failing infra-inguinal vein grafts were identified at duplex surveillance or clinical examination. Patients had confirmatory arteriography and balloon angioplasty at the same attendance. Interventions proximal or distal to the graft itself and prosthetic grafts were not included. Patients were entered into a duplex graft surveillance program. Initial assessment of technical success was duplex or improvement 4-6 weeks after the primary angioplasty.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven consecutive patients were treated with standard balloon angioplasty, then 11 consecutive patients were treated with cutting balloon angioplasty. Initial technical success was 74% for the standard balloon versus 82% for the cutting balloon. The primary patency rate at 6 months was 16/26 (62%) for standard balloon angioplasty and 8/10 (80%) for cutting balloon angioplasty (p = 0.44). The primary patency rate at 12 months was 9/25 (36%) for standard balloon angioplasty and 5/10 (50%) for cutting balloon angioplasty (p = 0.47).

CONCLUSION

The use of cutting balloons for primary angioplasty of infra-inguinal vein grafts offers no definite advantage over standard balloon angioplasty in this institution or compared with patency rates after standard balloon angioplasty reported elsewhere. Larger multicenter studies would be required to demonstrate whether there was any real difference between the two techniques.

Results of a Peripheral Cutting Balloon Prospective Multicenter European Registry in Hemodialysis Vascular Access

PURPOSE

To report initial experience with the Peripheral Cutting Balloon (PCB) in treatment of failing hemodialysis shunts.

METHODS

A total of 190 patients (95 men, 95 women; average age 64.4 +/- 11.9 years, range 32-87 years) who were treated with the PCB for pressure-resistant stenosis, restenosis or failed percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in the venous limb of an arteriovenous shunt were followed in seven European centers using a simple registry. The group consisted of 109 de novo lesions (57%) and 79 restenotic lesions (43%).

RESULTS

Technical success was achieved in 88.9% of cases. Primary patency was as follows (the results for whole group and simultaneous results for de novo lesions and restenoses are presented): 1 month (140 patients followed): 94%, 98%, and 93%; 3 months (116 patients followed): 93%, 98%, and 92%; 6 months (40 patients followed): 85%, 92%, and 79%; 12 months (27 patients followed): 74%, 87%, and 48%. No complication occurred. Patients experienced an equal or lower level of pain during the procedure compared with conventional PTA.

CONCLUSION

The PCB proved to be successful in dilating pressure-resistant stenoses. We cannot conclude whether PCB angioplasty can lower the restenosis rate in hemodialysis access lesions, but the long-term patency for de novo lesions is high. A further randomized study is advisable.

Superficial femoral artery: current treatment options

Treatment of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) has been among the least effective of all endovascular procedures in terms of long-term patency. The relatively small vessel lumen, in conjunction with a high plaque burden, slow flow, and a high frequency of primary occlusions, contributes to a considerable rate of acute technical failures. Because of these technical limitations a much effort has been made during the past years. This manuscript should summarize the hopes and limitations of different approaches such as brachytherapy, cutting balloons, stents and stent grafts, drug-eluting stents, and drug-coated balloons.