DCB in BTK disease: evidence, safety, and clinical decision-making

Watch this PVI 2025 exclusive interview between Dr. Marta Lobato and Dr. Tze Tec Chong exploring the evolving role of drug-coated balloons (DCBs) in below-the-knee (BTK) disease, with insights from the RANGER trial.

While DCBs are widely used in the femoropopliteal segment, their adoption in BTK remains more limited, often influenced by reimbursement constraints and ongoing clinical debate.

The discussion highlights what newer-generation low-dose coating technologies aim to achieve, and which outcomes are most clinically meaningful in this complex population—particularly wound healing and amputation-free survival in patients with diabetes and renal failure.

Safety considerations, including interpretation of paclitaxel-related data and the impact of prior evidence such as SWEDEPAD, are also addressed, along with practical guidance for clinicians navigating uncertainty in everyday decision-making.

A practical reflection on how these data may translate into better care for patients with CLTI.