Efficacy and safety of drug-coated balloon angioplasty in proximal LAD stenosis with distal myocardial bridge: a 12-month comparative study with drug-eluting stents

Introduction: Myocardial bridge (MB), particularly involving the distal left anterior descending artery (LAD), presents unique challenges in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) when coexisting with proximal LAD stenosis. Drug-coated balloon (DCB) represents a "leave nothing behind" strategy that may offer advantages over drug-eluting stents (DES) in these anatomically complex lesions. Methods: = 148). Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided lesion preparation and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) were used. Clinical and angiographic outcomes were assessed at 12-month follow-up. Results: = 0.035). Conclusion: DCB angioplasty is a safe and effective alternative to DES in proximal LAD lesions complicated by distal MB. Despite reduced acute lumen gain, DCBs yielded comparable angiographic results, reduced restenosis and MACE, and enabled shorter dual antiplatelet therapy duration.