Prof. Christian Behrendt (head of the German research association) and Prof. Joy Roy
(Karolinska Institute) take us on a look back chronologically at the journey
Paclitaxel has taken us on, from the original mortality scare to landmark trials, we follow
the twists and turns of the evidence.
We ask if safety is only half the story and whether it makes sense to judge every
drug-coated balloon and stent as one big, paclitaxel-coated family, what the emerging
Limus technologies might bring to the table, and whether industry influence has helped
shape a debate in which the stakes are anything but theoretical.
Because ultimately, a beautiful angiogram is lovely. But if our patients aren't walking
further, living longer, or feeling better, what exactly are we celebrating?
Join us as we separate the signal from the noise and ask all the uncomfortable
questions at the heart of it all.
This episode is supported by Cook Medical
PAPERS MENTIONED
1. Katsanos et al. (2018) — Risk of Death Following Application of Paclitaxel-
Coated Balloons and Stents in the Femoropopliteal Artery of the Leg: A
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Read the paper — Journal of the American Heart Association
2. IMPERIAL trial (2018) — Gray et al. A polymer-coated, paclitaxel-eluting stent
(Eluvia) versus a polymer-free, paclitaxel-coated stent (Zilver PTX) for
endovascular femoropopliteal intervention: a randomised, non-inferiority trial.
Read the paper — The Lancet
3. Katsanos et al. (2026) — Dynamic Risk of Death following Application of
Paclitaxel Coated Devices in the Femoropopliteal Artery: A Contemporary Meta-
analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.
Read the paper — European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
4. SWEDEPAD 1 (2025) — Paclitaxel-coated versus uncoated devices for
infrainguinal endovascular revascularisation in chronic limb-threatening
ischaemia: a multicentre, participant-masked, registry-based, randomised
controlled trial.
Read the paper — The Lancet
5. SWEDEPAD 2 (2025) — Paclitaxel-coated versus uncoated devices for
infrainguinal endovascular revascularisation in patients with intermittent
claudication: a multicentre, participant-masked, registry-based, randomised
controlled trial.
Read the paper — The Lancet
6. REALDES — 3-year outcomes (2025) — Shibata et al. Comparative Analysis of
Three Year Results of Two Paclitaxel Related Stents for the Management of
Femoropopliteal Disease in a Real World Setting.
Read the paper — European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
7. REALDES — 1-year outcomes — Shibata et al. One Year Outcomes of Zilver
PTX Versus Eluvia for Femoropopliteal Disease in Real-World Practice:
REALDES Study.
Read the paper — Journal of Endovascular Therapy
8. Behrendt et al. (2020) — Long Term Survival after Femoropopliteal Artery
Revascularisation with Paclitaxel Coated Devices: A Propensity Score Matched Cohort
Analysis. A large German health-insurance database study comparing long-term
outcomes after paclitaxel-coated and uncoated devices.
9.Read the paper — European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
10. Nordanstig et al. (2026) — Editor's Choice – Focused Update on Paclitaxel Coated
Technologies, from the 2024 ESVS Guidelines
on the Management of Asymptomatic Peripheral Arterial Disease and Intermittent
Claudication. The updated recommendations reconsider the role of paclitaxel-coated
devices in intermittent claudication in light of SWEDEPAD 2 and the emerging evidence
on clinical benefit and long-term safety.
Read the paper — European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
