Evaluating a Paclitaxel Coated Balloon for Treating Atherosclerosis in Leg Arteries

STAR-PAK Study: Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of PAK® (Paclitaxel Coated Balloon) in Treating Atherosclerotic Femoro-Popliteal Lesions

This study is testing a special balloon treatment to see if it can safely improve blood flow and reduce symptoms in people with blocked leg arteries due to peripheral artery disease.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 120 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Balton Sp.zo.o. (Industry-sponsored)
• Locations: 3 sites (Chrzanów, Malopolska and 2 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT06734221 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to assess the safety and effectiveness of the PAK® DCB Catheter in patients suffering from symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) with stenosis in the superficial femoral and/or popliteal arteries. It focuses on individuals with either new or previously treated atherosclerotic lesions, evaluating their response to this minimally invasive treatment. Participants will undergo endovascular revascularization procedures to improve blood flow and alleviate symptoms of limb ischemia. The study will monitor outcomes related to both performance and safety of the device used.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with symptomatic lower limb ischemia and specific stenosis characteristics in the superficial femoral or popliteal arteries.

Not a fit: Patients with less than 60% stenosis or those with lesions not meeting the specified criteria may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve blood flow and reduce symptoms for patients with peripheral artery disease.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies using drug-coated balloons for similar conditions have shown promising results, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥ 18 years.
2. Written informed consent of the patient to participate in the study.
3. Symptoms of lower limb ischemia defined by Rutherford classification from 2 to 4.
4. At least one de novo or restenotic lesion, in SFA and/or PA defined as a lesion with a proximal origin \>10mm from SFA origin and a distal end above the knee joint (at least 3 cm above bottom of the femur- P1).
5. Target Lesion \>60% stenosis in the SFA or PA (based on angio-CT and/or confirmed in angiography).
6. Target Lesion \<150 mm that consists of no more than two adjacent lesions ≤ 25mm apart and is able to be completely covered with inflation of single investigated PAK DCB (with minimum of \>5mm proximal and distal margin.

   Note: Adjacent or tandem lesions must be treated as a single lesion.
7. Reference Vessel Diameter (RVD) between 4.0 and 8.0mm and within treatment range of PAK® DCB to be used 1:1 at the target lesion.
8. Angiographic evidence of distal run-off demonstrated by at least one patent tibial vessel without evidence of significant ≥50% angiographic stenosis from origin to ankle.
9. In-flow vessel (both iliac and femoral) without significant ≥50% angiographic stenosis or successful treatment (≤30% residual stenosis with no complications) of a diseased in-flow vessel at least 30 days prior to the index procedure.

Note: treatment of contralateral iliac arteries is allowed.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Life expectancy less than 2 years.
2. Suspected or detected malignancy without completed treatment (not considered cured).
3. Planned surgical or interventional procedures within 30 days after the study procedure.
4. Known impaired renal function with GFR ≤30 mL/min per 1.73 m2 and/or elevated serum creatinine \> 2.5mg/dL or on dialysis.
5. Active inflammatory process at the site of the planned puncture.
6. Acute lower limb ischemia.
7. Non-atherosclerotic lesion (e.g. vasculitis, dysplasia).
8. Necessary concurrent non-target lesion interventions involving a re-entry device, atherectomy, laser, or ablation procedures, the use of a drug eluting stent, or treatment with any other drug coated balloon.
9. Massive calcifications of the treated lesion (defined as angiographic evidence of dense calcification present on both sides of the vessel wall on two orthogonal views and that extends \>50 continuous mm in length; reflective 3 or 4 on the PACSS scale https://doi.org/10.1002%2Fccd.25387).
10. Angiographically confirmed presence of a thrombus in the target lesion.
11. The target lesion requiring primary stenting.
12. Presence of perforation, dissection (Type D or worse) or other injury in target vessel at time of enrollment.
13. Previous bypass graft or stent at target vessel (must be greater than 20mm from target lesion), or iliac stent that cannot permit crossing by the treatment balloon within the introducer sheath Note: In-stent restenosis is not allowed.
14. Gastrointestinal or any other major bleeding in the past three months.
15. Known bleeding disorder or uncontrolled hypercoagulable disorder.
16. Myocardial infarction or any stroke within 30 days prior to the procedure.
17. Known intolerance to required medications (especially antiplatelets and heparin), contrast media (that cannot be adequately pre-medicated), nitinol or paclitaxel.
18. Pregnant and childbearing age women not using effective contraception.
19. Participation in another investigational study (before completing primary endpoint analysis) or previous enrollment to this study.

Where this trial is running

Chrzanów, Malopolska and 2 other locations

• Department of Vascular Surgery; Malopolska Cardiovascular Center; Polish-American Heart Clinics — Chrzanów, Malopolska, Poland (Recruiting)
• University Hospital Clinical Hospital No. 2 PUM in Szczecin, Department of General, Dental and Interventional Radiology — Szczecin, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland (Recruiting)
• Vascular Surgery Teaching Unit CardioVascular Institute Hospital Clinic University of Barcelona — Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (Not_yet_recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Elżbieta Sojka

Conditions Popliteal Artery Stenosis Above the Knee; Peripheral Artery Disease; Superficial Femoral Artery Stenosis; Drug Coated Balloon