Multivariable Regression Analysis of Clinical Data from the Randomized-Controlled EffPac Trial: Efficacy of Femoropopliteal Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty

Purpose The post-hoc multivariable analysis of EffPac study data aimed to identify explanatory variables for efficacy of femoropopliteal artery angioplasty. Methods In the prospective, randomized, controlled EffPac study, patients were allocated to either DCB or plain old balloon angioplasty. Multivariable regression including interaction analysis was conducted to assess the impact of selected variables on the outcome measures of late lumen loss (LLL) at 6 months, and on binary restenosis, target lesion revascularization (TLR), clinical improvement, and hemodynamic improvement at 12 months. Results A total of 171 patients (69 ± 8 years, 111 men) were treated at 11 German centers. Hypertension increased, and advanced age decreased LLL (B coefficient [B]: 0.7 [95% CI − 0.04 to 1.3], p = 0.06 and − 0.3 per 10 years [95% CI − 0.5 to 0.01], p = 0.06, respectively). DCB angioplasty decreased odds of 12-month TLR and binary restenosis (OR 0.4 [95% CI 0.2 to 0.8], p = 0.01 and OR 0.1 [95% CI 0.01 to 0.6], p = 0.02, respectively). Lesion length and severe calcification decreased clinical improvement (B: − 0.1 per 10 mm [95% CI − 0.1 to − 0.03], p = 0.001 and − 0.1 [95% CI − 1.7 to − 0.1], p = 0.03, respectively). DCB angioplasty in former smokers improved ABI (0.2 [95% CI 0.01 to 0.5], p = 0.04). Conclusion DCB angioplasty decreased the incidence of 12-month restenosis and TLR. Increasing lesion length and severe calcification reduced clinical improvement. Hypertension is suspected to facilitate, and advanced age to mitigate LLL. DCB improved ABI most in former smokers.