Calling DCB a safe strategy for small de novo coronary stenosis, Dr. Jimenez Diaz said, “The procedural success rates were comparable.” However, he acknowledged that because of low enrollment, the study was “underpowered for clinical events.” The original power calculation called for a study of 200 patients.
“We can say results are encouraging,” Dr. Jimenez Diaz said.
Several discussants at the late-breaker abstracts agreed that DCB is an intriguing option for a difficult problem. They also agreed that restoring blood flow without leaving a permanent device is an attractive concept. However, they emphasized that a larger study is needed to declare that DCB and DES are equivalent strategies in regard to risk of MACE.
While agreeing that more data powered for events are needed, Cindy Grines, MD, chief of cardiology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y., was among those who suggested that this approach might be “worth a try.” She indicated that this study, which involved interventionalists at multiple centers, does provide support for the safety of DCB.
SOURCE: Jimenez Diaz VA. CRT 2018.