Specialty Balloons for Vessel Preparation During Infrainguinal Endovascular Revascularization Procedures: A Review of Literature

Balloon angioplasty with/without utilizing drug eluting technology or stenting constitutes the treatment of choice for a significant percentage of patients with peripheral artery disease requiring an intervention. However, in cases of diffuse disease and plaque complexity, angioplasty may lead to dissection, recoil, and/or early restenosis, making vessel preparation a key component for successful and durable endovascular revascularization outcome. This review of literature aims to present contemporary data for several commercially available specialty balloons that have been designed to minimize the arterial wall stress of conventional balloon angioplasty and facilitate technical success, as well as long-term patency.