Objectives: Paclitaxel-coated balloon angioplasty has been established as the first-line therapy for femoropopliteal artery disease. The primary objectives of the study were to evaluate the performance and the safety of the GORE-DCB Catheter in the treatment of atherosclerotic femoropopliteal lesions in patients with peripheral artery disease for CE-Mark approval.
Methods: Prospective, single-arm, multicenter study with 24 months follow-up. The GORE-DCB Catheter consists of a drug-coated nylon (inner layer)/ePTFE (outer layer) composite balloon. The ePTFE layer is coated with paclitaxel (concentration: 3.5 μg/mm2) and the excipient stearic acid/tromethamine (tris). The primary endpoints were 6-month late lumen loss (LLL) and 30-day of freedom from Major Adverse Events (MAE).
Results: Fifty-two subjects were enrolled, 69% men, median age 69 (49-83) years. Acute device success was 100%, the 30-day MAE rate was zero. Study primary endpoint of LLL (-0.17 mm) showed significant superiority compared to the performance goal of uncoated PTA balloon catheters from literature. At 1 and 2 years, primary patency rates were 81.8% and 68.7%, respectively, and freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization rates was 87.9% and 83.4%, respectively.
Conclusion: The study demonstrates that the treatment of lesions in femoropopliteal arteries with the GORE-DCB Catheter is safe and effective.
Keywords: Balloon angioplasty; drug-coated balloon; ePTFE; paclitaxel; peripheral artery disease; popliteal artery; superficial femoral artery.