Coronary Balloons of 2024 and Future

Since 1977, when Dr. Grüntzig performed the first Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), this science has completely changed the way coronary lesions were treated earlier. Initially, it started with Plain Old Balloon Angioplasty which was replaced by stents in 1990s and then again the reemergence of coronary balloon came with the introduction of drug-coated balloons. There are various types of balloon – non-complaint, semi complaint, high pressure, proximal optimization technique balloon, cutting, scoring, chocolate, ostial flash, drug coated, perfusion, and intravascular lithotripsy. Every balloon has a particular function and a different structure. Today, drug-eluting balloons have become the standard of care for in-stent restenosis and trials are going on with the vision of “stentless PCI.” Coronary balloons have now become an indispensable tool in the cath lab but like with any other instrument, there are complications which may occur. Balloon rupture, shaft fracture, indeflatable balloon, entrapped deflated balloon, and coronary dissection are few complications which may occur during usage of these coronary balloons. In this review article, we have dealt in detail about different types of balloon, their usage and complications and ways to deal with those complications.