Treatment of femoropopliteal arterial lesions with excimer laser atherectomy and drug-coated balloon

ObjectivesProximal to mid-term effects of contrast excimer laser atherectomy (ELA) + drug-coated balloon (DCB) versus PTA + drug-coated balloon (DCB) in the treatment of new lesions in the femoral popliteal segment of patients with lower extremity arteriosclerosis and occlusion.MethodsThe clinical data of 105 patients with CT-confirmed femoropopliteal segment lesions (Rutherford grades 3-6) were retrospectively analyzed. According to the computerized randomization method, 58 patients (44 males, mean 72.41 ± 10.58 years) were divided into group A ELA + DCB dilation and 47 patients (35 males, mean 73.83 ± 11.56 years) in group B PTA + DCB dilation. The clinical indexes mainly included the occurrence of Rutherford grade, freedom from target lesion revascularization rate (FTLR), ankle-brachial index (ABI), stage I survival rate, and postoperative complications before, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery and were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe treatment success rate was 100% in all patients. The Rutherford grading at 12 months after operation was significantly improved in both groups, but statistical analysis showed that the improvement was more significant in group A (87.93% vs 72.34%, <i>p</i> = 0.043); ABI (0.77 ± 0.22^abc vs 0.65 ± 0.10^abc, <i>p</i> = 0.001); FTLR (93.10% vs 78.72%, <i>p</i> = 0.031), respectively. First-stage patency rate (91.38% vs 74.47%, <i>p</i> < 0.001),; complications, and adverse events were not statistically significant between the two groups (<i>p</i> > 0.05).ConclusionsELA + DCB significantly improved the 1-year freedom from target lesion revascularization rate and stage 1 patency rate with no significant increase in complications or adverse events.