New Delhi, July 5: Top cardiologists have identified Sirolimus-drug coated balloons (SCBs) as a promising alternative to drug-eluting stents for the treatment of coronary artery diseases (CAD). This alternative is particularly beneficial for young patients with multiple blockages and underlying conditions that may render drug-eluting stents ineffective, according to doctors at an educational session held in Mumbai on Tuesday.
During the session titled “Sirolimus Drug Coated Balloons (DCB): Expanding the Scope of Coronary Artery Diseases (CAD),” Professor Antonio Colombo, Director of Humanitas Research Hospital in Milan, highlighted the growing use of drug-coated balloons in coronary intervention. Initially developed to address in-stent restenosis and avoid additional stenting, these balloons are now being used for de novo lesions, especially in cases of small vessel diffuse disease where the risk of restenosis and stent thrombosis is high.
Prof. Colombo also emphasized that diabetic patients in India often present with heart diseases other than CAD. Additionally, there has been a rise in the incidence of coronary artery disease, particularly among young patients.
“For these specific patient subsets and lesions, stenting is not an ideal solution, and drug-coated balloons offer an excellent alternative to metal scaffolding. The MagicTouch Sirolimus Coated Balloon (SCB), with its proven safety profile and efficacy, has been in use since 2015,” stated Prof. Colombo.
Surat-based Concept Medical developed the world’s first sirolimus-coated balloon, known as MagicTouch, for coronary artery diseases. Last year, the company received Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the balloon.
Dr. Manish Doshi, MD of Concept Medical, explained that the drug and carrier complex of the balloon is specifically designed to penetrate the inner layers of vessel walls and act as a reservoir for the long-term release of medicine. This mechanism effectively prevents the re-narrowing of the coronary artery.
The educational session, attended by over 100 esteemed cardiologists, showcased the upcoming technology and demonstrated the alternative of drug-coated balloons in action through multiple case presentations and talks.
“The MagicTouch device demonstrates excellent deliverability, even in complex tortuous coronary arteries,” said Dr. Sandeep Basavarajaiah, Consultant Cardiologist at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital in the UK.
