We used Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Statement (PRISMA) standards to systematically search the electronic databases of MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) for trials comparing DEBs vs UCBs in the femoropopliteal arteries. All articles were critically assessed for relevance, validity, and availability of data regarding patient and lesion characteristics and outcomes. All data were systematically pooled, and meta-analysis was performed on binary restenosis, late lumen loss (LLL), target lesion revascularization (TLR), major amputation, mortality, and changes in the ankle-brachial index and the Rutherford-Baker classification.
From 364 screened articles, we included nine trials, all of which had a low risk of bias. We found a significant reduction of binary restenosis at 6 months (14.3% vs 40.1%;
Compared with UCB angioplasty, the use of DEBs increases the durability of the treatment effect in femoropopliteal arterial disease, expressed by a significant decrease of binary restenosis, LLL, and TLR at short-term and midterm follow-up.