The narrowed area is prepared for treatment.
Drug-Coated Balloon TherapyHelp reduce artery re-narrowing.
A drug-coated balloon opens a narrowed leg artery and delivers medication to the vessel wall. The balloon is then removed, with no permanent implant left behind when a stent is not needed.
Treatment starts with an exam and arterial imaging. A drug-coated balloon is recommended only when it fits the artery, the blockage, your symptoms, and the goal of treatment.
How a drug-coated balloon worksSee how the artery is opened and medication is delivered.
Image-guided
The balloon opens and transfers medication to the artery wall.
Blood flow is checked before the catheter is removed.
Opens the narrowed artery
A small balloon creates more room for blood flow
Helps reduce re-narrowing
Medication is delivered directly to the artery wall
No implant when used alone
The coated balloon and catheter are removed
What Drug-Coated Balloon Therapy Does
It combines angioplasty with medication. The balloon widens the narrowed artery, then transfers medication to the artery wall to help reduce the tissue growth that can narrow the same area again.
Common Symptoms of Poor Circulation
Could poor circulation be causing your symptoms? These signs may mean it is time to check the blood flow in your legs and learn whether treatment could help.
Cramping when you walk
Pain that improves with rest
Numbness or tingling
Cold foot or leg
A sore that will not heal
Skin color changes
Find out what is limiting your circulation.
Request a Circulation EvaluationA focused evaluation can show whether medication, a walking program, or a procedure should come next—and whether a drug-coated balloon fits the artery.
How Drug-Coated Balloon Therapy Works
The specialist reaches the blockage through a small access point and guides the balloon through the artery with live X-ray imaging.
Prepare the narrowed area
After the access area is numbed, a catheter and guidewire reach the blockage. A plain balloon or plaque treatment may prepare the artery first.
Open the coated balloon
The balloon is positioned across the narrowed segment and inflated briefly, opening the artery and transferring medication to the vessel wall.
Remove it and check the flow
The balloon and catheter are removed. Imaging confirms the result, and a stent is added only when the artery needs extra support.
Drug-Coated vs. Plain Balloon
Both open a narrowed artery. The coated balloon adds medication intended to help the treated area stay open longer.
QuestionDrug-coated balloonPlain balloon
Is a Drug-Coated Balloon Right for You?
The right treatment depends on more than a scan. Your symptoms, artery, blockage, prior treatment, health, and goals all shape the recommendation.
Your evaluation should make these points clear:
- Whether reduced blood flow explains the symptoms or wound.
- Whether medication and structured walking should come first.
- Which artery needs treatment—and which findings can be watched.
- Whether a coated balloon offers an advantage over a plain balloon.
- Whether atherectomy or a stent may also be needed.
- What benefit is realistic and which risks matter most for you.
What to Expect Before Treatment
There should be no surprises on procedure day. You will know why treatment is recommended, what may happen, and how to prepare.
Start with an arterial evaluation
Your specialist reviews symptoms, pulse findings, prior records, and any wounds or skin changes.
Map the blood flow
Ankle-brachial index, duplex ultrasound, CT angiography, or other imaging may be used to define the blockage.
Review medicines and safety details
The team confirms allergies, kidney function, blood thinners, diabetes medicines, fasting, and transportation instructions.
Choose the tools that fit
You receive a clear explanation of why a drug-coated balloon may help, what other tools may be added, the risks, and the follow-up plan.
Recovery and Follow-Up
The procedure is only one part of care. Your recovery instructions will be based on the access site, artery treated, treatment combination, and your health.
Observation and access-site checks
The team monitors circulation, the puncture site, and how you feel as sedation wears off.
Protect the access site
Walking, lifting, driving, bathing, and wound-care instructions are tailored to your procedure.
Recheck symptoms and blood flow
A clinic visit, duplex ultrasound, or ankle-brachial index may be used to assess the result.
Protect the result
Medication, activity, smoking cessation, and control of diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol remain important.
Check Your Coverage Before Treatment
Know what to expect before treatment. Share your plan details and our team will help check your benefits, explain what may be covered, and tell you what is needed before scheduling.
Our Team
Three board-certified specialists across three locations.
Harout Dermendjian, MD
Endovascular Specialist
Dr. Dermendjian is a highly experienced specialist known for his steady presence in the procedure room. Patients value his direct and reassuring approach, while referring providers trust his ability to manage complex arterial and venous disease with clarity.
Meet Dr. Dermendjian
Kartik Kansagra, MD
Endovascular Specialist
Dr. Kansagra prioritizes clear, direct communication with patients and referring providers alike. He brings a collaborative approach to complex endovascular cases, ensuring every treatment decision is well understood before it's made.
Meet Dr. Kansagra
Sipan Mathevosian, MD
Endovascular Specialist
Dr. Mathevosian's training in Vascular Interventional Radiology spans arterial disease, venous conditions, and interventional oncology. His technical range makes him the practice's lead for complex embolization cases.
Meet Dr. MathevosianThree Convenient Locations
Start your evaluation close to home. Consultations are available across the EVSLA service area, and our team will confirm where any recommended procedure is performed.
Glendale
Vascular consultation and follow-up serving Glendale and surrounding communities.
View Glendale locationSimi Valley
Specialist vascular evaluation and coordinated follow-up in Simi Valley.
View Simi Valley locationLa Cañada Flintridge
Convenient access to EVSLA specialists for consultation and follow-up.
View La Cañada locationProcedure availability can vary by location and clinical need. The scheduling team will confirm the appropriate site.
Common Questions
Drug-coated balloon therapy, explained plainly. Your specialist will explain what applies to your artery, health, and treatment plan.
What is a drug-coated balloon?
A drug-coated balloon is an angioplasty balloon with medication on its surface. It opens a narrowed peripheral artery and transfers medication to the artery wall before the balloon is removed.
How is a drug-coated balloon different from a plain balloon?
Both balloons widen the artery. A drug-coated balloon also transfers medication to the artery wall to help reduce the tissue response that can narrow the artery again.
Does the drug-coated balloon stay in the artery?
No. The balloon and catheter are removed after treatment. If no stent is needed, the procedure does not leave a permanent implant behind.
Is a drug-coated balloon the same as a drug-eluting stent?
No. A drug-coated balloon is removed after it delivers medication. A drug-eluting stent is an implant that remains in the artery and releases medication over time.
Will I also need atherectomy or a stent?
Possibly. Atherectomy may be used to prepare selected plaque, and a stent may be added when the artery needs extra support. The treatment plan is individualized.
What should I know about the medication on the balloon?
Many FDA-approved peripheral drug-coated balloons use paclitaxel to help limit tissue growth after the artery is opened. FDA’s current review does not support an excess mortality risk, but your specialist should still explain the device-specific benefits, risks, and alternatives.
What should I expect during recovery?
Recovery depends on the access site, artery treated, procedure complexity, and your health. You will receive individualized instructions for activity, medicines, access-site care, and follow-up.
Can the artery narrow again after treatment?
Yes. A drug-coated balloon is intended to reduce re-narrowing, but it cannot prevent it in every case. Medication, walking, risk-factor control, and follow-up remain important.
Does insurance cover drug-coated balloon therapy?
Coverage depends on your plan, network, medical necessity, and authorization requirements. EVSLA can review your plan details and explain the next steps before scheduling.
Open the artery. Help protect the result.
An EVSLA specialist can review your symptoms and imaging, explain whether a drug-coated balloon may help, and guide you through the next step.