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Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) has a high initial success rate for superficial femoral-artery revascularization. However, restenosis occurs within 6 to 12 months in about half of treated segments, and preventive efforts using stents or other methods have been disappointing.
In a recent preliminary report, the use of paclitaxel-coated angioplasty was beneficial in treating coronary in-stent restenosis (Journal Watch Cardiology Nov 14 2006). Now, the same research team has extended use of the technique to treatment of high-grade lesions or total occlusions of femoral or popliteal arteries. In a study supported by the manufacturers of the balloon catheter and the contrast agent, 154 patients (mean age, 68; 66% male; 49% diabetic) w…