Alexander Mallios (Paris, France) and Andrew Holden (Auckland, New Zealand; one of the co-chairs of the Charing Cross [CX] Symposium) share their views on the first and only consistently positive randomised controlled trial results that are “unequivocally” in favour of drug-coated balloon (DCB) therapy for arteriovenous (AV) access patients.
They comment on whether DCBs should be considered standard-of-care therapy, based on the IN.PACT AV Access trial’s findings, and how it provides reassurance on any lingering mortality concerns regarding paclitaxel use in this patient population.
These clinical outcomes also reinforce the positive impact of DCB on patients’ quality of life by reducing the number of interventions needed for treatment, emphasises Mallios.
For those wishing to start using these devices, areas that show powerful response include restenotic lesions, stenosis in the AV anastomosis or cephalic arch, or smaller vessel diameters, notes Holden.
“I actually think we're very close to societal guidelines recommending the use of the IN.PACT AV drug-coated balloon as standard-of-care [treatment]. And finally, I would say we actually have some really interesting data showing that this therapy is cost-effective because of the reduction in restenosis,” he adds.