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Professional Technical IVT

drug-eluting balloon

Pronunciation: deb

Also written as: DEB — drug-eluting balloon

Angioplasty balloon catheter coated with antiproliferative medication that transfers drug directly to vessel wall during inflation.

Full Definition

A percutaneous coronary intervention device (DEB) consisting of a standard balloon catheter whose surface is coated with an antiproliferative drug, typically paclitaxel or sirolimus, along with excipients that facilitate rapid drug transfer to the arterial wall during balloon inflation. Unlike drug-eluting stents, the balloon delivers medication without leaving a permanent implant, making it particularly useful for treating in-stent restenosis, small vessels, or bifurcation lesions where stent implantation may be problematic. The drug coating inhibits smooth muscle cell proliferation and reduces neointimal hyperplasia, thereby decreasing restenosis rates compared to plain balloon angioplasty.

Usage

Usage note: DEB acronym widely accepted; distinguish clearly from drug-eluting stents in manuscript text.

In Context

  • "Drug-eluting balloon angioplasty was performed for all in-stent restenotic lesions in the study protocol." — Interventional procedure description
  • "The paclitaxel-coated drug-eluting balloon demonstrated superior angiographic outcomes compared to plain balloon angioplasty." — Clinical trial results

Also known as

DEB drug-coated balloon

Contrasted with

plain balloon conventional balloon

Don't confuse with

drug-eluting stent cutting balloon

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