Could a balloon replace stents for major heart artery clogs?

NCT ID NCT07548281

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether a drug-coated balloon (DCB) is as safe and effective as a drug-eluting stent (DES) for treating large blockages in heart arteries. About 2,492 patients will be randomly assigned to receive either a balloon or a stent, guided by advanced imaging. The goal is to see if the balloon can avoid leaving a permanent metal implant, potentially reducing bleeding risks.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
Drug-coated balloon (DCB) and drug-eluting stent (DES)
What this could lead to
If successful, this could offer a stent-free option for treating large coronary artery blockages, potentially reducing long-term complications from permanent implants.
What could go wrong
This is a large but early-stage comparison trial. The balloon-only approach may not work as well as stents for all patients, and there are risks like vessel recoil or dissection.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.