Abstract: Drug-coated balloons (DCB) have emerged as a new application in percutaneous coronary intervention. It is developed to circumvent some of the limitations faceddrug-eluting stents (DES). DES has some limitations, as follows: it could not be implanted in some lesions; bleeding risks are associated with prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy; risks of late and very late stent thrombosis increase. Many clinical trials had confirmed the efficacy and safety of DCB, particularly, the application of DCB in coronary small vessel diseases. This review discussed the basic concept, development, evolution of DCB and some clinical studies associated with the application of DCB in coronary small vessel diseases.

Key words: drug-coated balloon, drug-eluting stent, paclitaxel, coronary small vessel, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty