Drug-coated balloons are not inferior to drug-coated stents in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction and shorten the duration of dual antiplatelet treatment

Background:Drug-coated balloons(DCBs)are an up-and-coming tactic in treating in-stent restenosis and coronary artery small vessel disease,but their efficacy in treating acute myocardial infarction needs to be further explored.Methods:A meta-analysis of 7 studies was conducted to make a comparison with the results of DCB and drug-eluting stent implantation after a median follow-up of 15 months.Results:A total of 922 patients were included in this analysis in total,including 375 patients in the DCB group and 547 patients in the stent group.A total of 962 vascular diseases were manifested in the 2 groups.After 6 to 24 months of follow-up,there was no statistically significant difference with respect to major adverse cardiovascular events(odds ratio[OR]:0.82;95%confidence interval[CI]:0.52–1.29;Z=0.85;P=0.39),cardiac death(OR:0.92;95%CI:0.39–2.12;Z=0.21;P=0.84),target lesion revascularization(OR:1.09;95%CI:0.53–2.25;Z=0.24;P=0.81),late lumen loss(MD:−0.05;95%CI:−0.15 to 0.06;Z=0.85;P=0.40),or dual antiplatelet therapy(DAPT)(OR:1.04;95%CI:0.53–2.05;Z=0.11;P=0.91)between the 2 groups.In the DCB group,persistent residual stenosis or C-F dissection occurrence necessitated that a total of 30 patients receive extra bailout implantations.The rate of bailout stenting was 11.8%(95%CI:7.1–16).Moreover,the DCB group had a shorter DAPT duration compared with the stent group.Conclusion:Drug-coated balloons with shorter DAPT durations may be as effective and safe as stent therapy in treating acute myocardial infarction.