Effect of EDTA with porous balloon on calcified lesion: An atherosclerotic cadaver study

Abstract

BackgroundEthylene diamine tetra‐acetic acid (EDTA) is a chelating agent used to dissolve calcium deposits but evidence in decalcifying atherosclerotic lesions is limited.AimsWe assessed the feasibility and efficacy of EDTA delivered via porous balloon to target calcified lesions in cadaveric below‐the‐knee (BTK) arteries.MethodsUsing porcine carotid arteries, EDTA concentration was measured in the arterial wall and outside the artery at the 0‐, 0.5‐, 4‐, and 24‐h circulation after the injection through a porous balloon. In cadaver BTK samples, the proximal and distal anterior tibial artery (ATA) and distal posterior tibial artery (PTA) were studied. EDTA‐2Na/H2O or EDTA‐3Na/H2O were administrated using a porous balloon, then circulated for 6 h for EDTA‐3Na/H2O and 24 h for EDTA‐2Na/H2O and EDTA‐3Na/H2O. Micro‐CT imaging of the artery segments before and after the circulation and cross‐sectional analyses were performed to evaluate calcium burden.ResultsIn the porcine carotid study, EDTA was delivered through a porous balloon present in the arterial wall and was retained there for 24 h. In BTK arteries, cross‐sectional analyses of micro‐CT revealed a significant decrease in the calcium area in the distal ATA segment under 24‐h circulation with EDTA‐2Na/H2O and in the distal ATA segment under 24‐h circulation with EDTA‐3Na/H2O. The proximal ATA segment under 6‐h circulation with EDTA‐3Na/H2O showed no significant change in any parameters of calciumConclusionEDTA‐3Na/H2O or EDTA‐2Na/H2O with longer circulation times resulted in greater calcium reduction in atherosclerotic lesion. EDTA may have a potential therapeutic option for the treatment of atherosclerotic calcified lesions.