Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41074993›Full record

ArticleHeart and vessels2026

Paclitaxel distribution assessment after drug-coated balloon treatment in the superficial femoral artery: SNOW grade.

Takeo Horikoshi, Takamitsu Nakamura, Toshiki Takei, Miu Eguchi, Ryota Yamada, Toru Yoshizaki, Manabu Uematsu, Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, Akira Sato

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Heart and vessels, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Takeo HorikoshiDepartment of Cardiology, University of Yamanashi, Faculty of Medicine, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan. thorikoshi@yamanashi.ac.jp.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0023-0132
Takamitsu NakamuraDepartment of Cardiology, University of Yamanashi, Faculty of Medicine, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan.
Toshiki TakeiDepartment of Cardiology, University of Yamanashi, Faculty of Medicine, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan.
Miu EguchiDepartment of Cardiology, University of Yamanashi, Faculty of Medicine, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan.
Ryota YamadaDepartment of Cardiology, University of Yamanashi, Faculty of Medicine, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan.
Toru YoshizakiDepartment of Cardiology, University of Yamanashi, Faculty of Medicine, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan.
Manabu UematsuDepartment of Cardiology, University of Yamanashi, Faculty of Medicine, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan.
Tsuyoshi KobayashiDepartment of Cardiology, University of Yamanashi, Faculty of Medicine, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan.
Akira SatoDepartment of Cardiology, University of Yamanashi, Faculty of Medicine, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi, 409-3898, Japan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDrug-coated balloons (DCBs) are increasingly being used to treat superficial femoral artery (SFA) lesions during endovascular therapy (EVT). However, the evaluation of paclitaxel distribution following DCB treatment remains challenging. This study aimed to develop a novel criterion to systematically semi-quantitatively grade the degree of paclitaxel distribution using nonobstructive general angioscopy and analyze the clinical factors affecting this criterion. METHOD AND

resultsThis study included 18 patients (20 limbs) who underwent EVT for SFA lesions using DCBs. Angioscopic observation of the vessel surface was performed before and after DCB treatment. The amount of paclitaxel distribution was systematically graded using the novel surface observation by nonobstructive general angioscopy of wall drug-distribution (SNOW) grade. Clinical factors were statistically analyzed to determine their relationship with the SNOW grade. Paclitaxel particles were observed on vessel walls after DCB treatment in all patients. A significant relationship was found between the DCB diameter and reference vessel and lumen diameter, measured by intravascular ultrasound; specifically, a same DCB-to-vessel ratio was associated with greater drug distribution.

conclusionsThe SNOW grading system was successfully developed for systematic evaluation of paclitaxel distribution. Our findings suggest that appropriate DCB sizing is essential for adequate drug application, highlighting that an undersized DCB may provide insufficient coverage. Therefore, a careful DCB selection that balances optimal drug delivery with the imperative to avoid vessel injury is crucial.

Indexed as

Angioplasty, BalloonCardiovascular AgentsCoated Materials, BiocompatibleFemoral ArteryPaclitaxelPeripheral Arterial DiseaseVascular Access DevicesAgedAged, 80 and overAngioscopyEquipment DesignFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesCardiovascular AgentsCoated Materials, BiocompatiblePaclitaxelAngioscopyDrug-coated balloonEndovascular therapy: lower extremity artery disease

Identifiers

PMID41074993

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.