Drug-Coated Balloons vs. Balloon Angioplasty in AV-Fistulas: A Randomized, Controlled Study with 1-Year Follow-Up

Abstract

Introduction - Stenosis due to intimal hyperplasia and restenosis after initially successful percutaneous angioplasty are common reasons for repetitive balloon dilatations as well as failing arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) (1). Some retrospective studies on the use of DCBs in AVFs have shown promising results in favour of DCB, although the sample sizes have been limited (2-4). One prospective randomized trial (RCT) including both prosthetic AV-grafts and autologous fistulae showed significant benefit from the use of DCBs over plain BA at six and twelve months (5).