Effectiveness of Paclitaxel-coated Luminor® Balloon Catheter Versus Uncoated Balloon Catheter in the Arteria Femoralis Superficialis

The investigational medical device represents the Paclitaxel drug-eluting Luminor®-35 balloon catheter which is based on a proprietary transfertech coating technology. This has been engineered to improve clinical efficacy by optimizing coating properties and device functionalities. This allows a homogeneous and precise Paclitaxel concentration of 3 μg/mm2 on the PTA balloon surface. The balloon dilatation procedure, including deployment to the target lesion and balloon inflation, deflation and retrieval, is performed under fluoroscopic observation. All sites shall have access to an emergency unit to perform also interventions as bypass surgery e.g. in case of failed percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). The patient is positioned on the angiographic table and draped in a sterile fashion. The standard vascular access represents the ipsilateral or contralateral femoral artery in accordance to the target vessel. The endovascular procedure can be performed in a direct antegrade or a cross-over retrograde technique.

An introducer sheath will be inserted over a guidewire. 5.000 I.U. heparin is injected i.a. to pre-vent peri-procedural thrombotic events. Alternative peri-procedural anti-coagulation regimens may be applied if justified by individual patient requirements. An endoluminal guidewire passage of the stenotic and occlusive femoro-popliteal lesion is mandatory for study inclusion.

A POBA PTA balloon of appropriate balloon diameter and length, and catheter working length is selected according to the characteristics of the target vessel and lesion for the pre-dilation and assessed by angiography (DSA or XA). A ruler has to be adjacent to the target vessel. After pre-dilatation of the target lesion an angiographic assessment will be performed (DSA or XA). A ruler has to be adjacent to the target vessel.

Randomization will be performed by envelope pull. The treatment group represents the Lumi-nor® DEB and the control group POBA applying a CE-marked non-drug-eluting PTA balloon catheter. In patients with peripheral artery disease, quantitative vascular angiography (QVA) is essential for the analysis of the degree of the arterial stenosis. For quantitative assessment of stenotic lesions, the residual lumen at the lesion site is compared with the lumen at a reference site.

QVA will be assessed by an independent core lab. The assessment during the angioplasty is performed pre- and post-procedure, at 6 months follow-up and any unscheduled procedure if necessary. Follow-up (FU) assessments will occur at pre-discharge, 6, 12 and 24 months following the study procedure.

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥18 years
• Subject must agree to undergo the 6-month angiographic and clinical follow-up (at 12 month post-procedure)
• Peripheral vascular disease Rutherford class 2-4
• De novo stenotic/re-stenotic lesion or occlusive lesions in the superficial femoral (SFA) and/or popliteal arteries (PA)
• If the index lesion is re-stenotic, the prior PTA must have been >30 days prior to treatment in the current study
• ≥70% diameter stenosis or occlusion
• Target lesion length: ≤15 cm (TASC II A and B)
• Only one lesion per limb and per patient can be treated (see definition chapter 6.5)
• ≥ one patent intrapopliteal run-off artery to the foot of the index limb
• Successful endoluminal guidewire passage through the target lesion
• Predilatation prior to randomization
• Life expectancy, in the investigators opinion of at least one year
• Subject is able to verbally acknowledge and understand the aim of this trial and is willing and able to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Previous surgery in the target vessel
• Major amputation in the same limb as the target lesion
• Presence of aneurysm in the target vessel
• Acute myocardial infarction within 30 days before intervention
• Severely calcified target lesions in the SFA/PA resistant to PTA
• Subjects requiring different treatment or raising serious safety concern regarding the procedure or the required medication
• Women of childbearing potential expect women with the following criteria:

• post-menopausal (12 month natural amenorrhea or 6 month amenorrhea with serum FSH > 40mlU/ml)
• sterilization 86 weeks after bilateral ovariectomy with or without hysterectomy
• using an effective method of birth control for the duration of the trial: implants, injectables, combined oral contraceptives, intrauterine device (in place for a period of at least 2 months prior to screening) and with negative serum pregnancy test
• sexual abstinence
• vasectomy partner
• Pregnant and nursing women
• Acute thrombus, stent or aneurysm in the index limb or vessel
• Renal insufficiency with a serum creatinine >2.0 mg/dL at baseline
• Platelet count <50 G/l or >600 G/l at baseline
• Known hypersensitivity or contraindication to contrast agent that cannot be adequately pre-medicated
• Subjects with known allergies against Paclitaxel
• Subjects with intolerance to antiplatelet, anticoagulant, or thrombolytic medications that would be administered during the trial
• Dialysis or immunosuppressant therapy
• Current participation (or within the last 3 months) in another interventional study