Atherectomy Prior to Drug-Eluting-Balloon Angioplasty in a Calcified Vessel

Endovascular treatment options for peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremity include percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, stent implantation, and atherectomy. Drug-eluting balloons (DEB) show promise in reducing long-Term restenosis and target lesion revascularization rates by limiting postprocedural neointimal hyperplasia. However, dense calcification is thought to act as a barrier to successful deposition of antiproliferative drug. Atherectomy prior to DEB angioplasty is one approach to reduce mural calcification and improve the efficacy of drug delivery.