# The ups and downs of paclitaxel-coated balloons and paclitaxel eluting stents: do the conclusions of SWEDEPAD 2 change our practice? Should we be concerned about mortality (again)?

**Authors:** Stefan Müller-Hülsbeck, Fabrizio Fanelli, Patrick Haage, Mohamad Hamady, Hicham Kobeiter, Romaric Loffroy, Gerard O’Sullivan, Lakshmi A. Ratnam, Catharina S. P. van Rijswijk, Maria Antonella Ruffino, Florian Wolf, Robert A. Morgan

PMC · DOI: 10.1186/s42155-025-00645-9 · CVIR Endovascular · 2026-01-27

## TL;DR

This paper discusses the ongoing debate about the safety and effectiveness of paclitaxel-coated devices in treating peripheral arterial disease.

## Contribution

The paper evaluates the implications of the SWEDEPAD 1 and 2 trials on current clinical practices regarding paclitaxel-coated devices.

## Key findings

- SWEDEPAD 1 and 2 trials have raised concerns about the potential link between paclitaxel-coated devices and mortality.
- The trials have rekindled discussions about the efficacy and safety of these devices in peripheral arterial disease.
- The paper questions whether these findings will change clinical practice.

## Abstract

The use of paclitaxel-coated devices (PCDs) in peripheral arterial disease continues to generate interest and controversy. The PCD journey to date has been a story of highs and lows. The recently published SWEDEPAD 1 and 2 trials have rekindled discussion regarding efficacy and a potential link to mortality.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** paclitaxel (PubChem CID 36314)
- **Diseases:** peripheral arterial disease (MONDO:0005386)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** FP occlusive disease (MESH:D001157), TLR (MESH:D009059), Arterial Disease (MESH:D002539), claudicants (MESH:D007383), restenosis (MESH:D023903), ischemia (MESH:D007511), death (MESH:D003643), PAD (MESH:D058729), femoropopliteal disease (MESH:D004194), vessel calcification (MESH:C536223), SWEDEPAD 1 (MESH:C538557), PCDs (MESH:D058456), PCD (MESH:D007619)
- **Chemicals:** DCB (-), Paclitaxel (MESH:D017239)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## References

8 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12847553/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12847553