Cardiology Specialist Dr. Samet Uyar at Private Gazi Hospital answered the questions about the "Drug-Coated Balloon Treatment," which is a new method in the treatment of narrowings in heart vessels.
What is a Drug-Coated Balloon?
Stents for heart vessels are metallic cages placed inside the vessel to keep it open. Drug-coated balloons, on the other hand, are a high-technology method that delivers the drugs on the stents by being spread only on the balloon and into the vessel without a metal piece like a stent.
Why is a Drug-Coated Balloon preferred?
Especially in small-diameter vessels or when there is re-narrowing in previously placed stents, a drug-coated balloon is preferred instead of placing a new stent. Thus, metal accumulation inside the vessel is prevented. In addition, the patient uses shorter-term blood-thinning medication after the procedure, which provides significant comfort and safety in terms of health.
How is the procedure performed?
The drug-coated balloon procedure is performed like a normal angio procedure. After reaching the narrowed area, the drug-coated balloon is inflated for about 30-60 seconds. During this time, the drug on the balloon is transferred to the vessel wall. The balloon is then deflated and removed, leaving no foreign body (stent) in the vessel.
To which patients is it recommended?
In those with diabetes, those with small-diameter heart vessel narrowing, those who develop re-narrowing in previously placed stents, and patients with high bleeding risk who cannot use blood-thinning medication for a long time, drug-coated balloon treatment is the method we primarily prefer.