Factors responsible for poor outcome after intraprocedural rerupture of ruptured intracranial aneurysms: Identification of risk factors, prevention and management on 18 cases

Nonlinear Association of Glycosylated Hemoglobin With Single Intracranial Aneurysm Rupture in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

The published literature linking diabetes mellitus (DM) to intracranial aneurysm (IA) ruptured has been controversial and limited by methodology. Thus, this study was performed to examine whether hyperglycemia control status is independently associated with single IA rupture in patients with DM.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study on two Chinese hospitals between January 2010 and November 2017. Medical records of 223 patients with single IA and DM were reviewed and analyzed. We used glycosylated hemoglobin (GHB) as the independent variable of interest, and the outcome variable was ruptured status of IA. Covariates included data on demographics, morphological parameters, lifestyle habits, clinical features, and comorbidities.

Results

Multivariable adjusted binary logistic regression and sensitivity analyses indicated that GHB was not associated with IA rupture (odds ratio OR, = 1.07, 95% CI 0.84-1.35). A nonlinear association between GHB and IA rupture was observed, whose inflection points were 5.5 and 8.9. The OR values (95% confidence intervals) were 0.38 (0.16-0.9) at the range of 1.88-5.5% of GHB, 1.6 (1.03, 2.5) at the range of 5.5-8.9%, and 0.56 (0.06-5.34) at the range of 8.9-10.1, respectively.

Conclusion

The independent correlation between GHB and risk of IA rupture presented is nonlinear. The good glycemic control in single IA patients with DM can reduce the risk of IA rupture, and vice versa.

Risk Factors for Intraprocedural Rerupture during Embolization of Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

BACKGROUND

Intraprocedural rupture (IPR) is a devastating complication in endovascular treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms, but its risk factors have not been fully assessed. This study was performed to explore the risk factors for IPR during embolization of ruptured cerebral aneurysms.

METHODS

A total of 1,494 patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms who underwent endovascular interventional embolization were enrolled. Clinical characteristics were collected for each patient. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the factors independently associated with IPR. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the cutoff values of continuous variables predicting IPR.

RESULTS

Forty-one patients suffered from IPR (2.7%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that aneurysm size (odds ratio [OR], 0.819; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.732-0.916), aneurysms with irregular morphology (OR, 2.162; 95% CI, 1.143-4.091), time from symptom onset to intervention (OR, 1.615; 95% CI, 1.207-2.161), and vasospasm during embolization (OR, 2.021; 95% CI, 1.038-3.934) were the independent risk factors of IPR. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve for aneurysm size and time from onset to intervention were 0.697 (cutoff value, 3.4 mm; sensitivity, 78.8%; and specificity, 53.7%) and 0.659 (cutoff value, 2 days; sensitivity, 78.0%; and specificity, 45.2%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Aneurysms with irregular morphology, aneurysms ≤ 3.4 mm in diameter, time from onset to intervention > 2 days and cerebral vasospasm during embolization are independent risk factors for IPR during coil embolization of ruptured aneurysms. More attention should be paid to the factors increasing the risk of IPR in patients with ruptured aneurysms so as to minimize this complication.

High wall shear stress beyond a certain range in the parent artery could predict the risk of anterior communicating artery aneurysm rupture at follow-up

OBJECTIVE

Among clinical and morphological criteria, hemodynamics is the main predictor of aneurysm growth and rupture. This study aimed to identify which hemodynamic parameter in the parent artery could independently predict the rupture of anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms by using multivariate logistic regression and two-piecewise linear regression models. An additional objective was to look for a more simplified and convenient alternative to the widely used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques to detect wall shear stress (WSS) as a screening tool for predicting the risk of aneurysm rupture during the follow-up of patients who did not undergo embolization or surgery.

METHODS

One hundred sixty-two patients harboring ACoA aneurysms (130 ruptured and 32 unruptured) confirmed by 3D digital subtraction angiography at three centers were selected for this study. Morphological and hemodynamic parameters were evaluated for significance with respect to aneurysm rupture. Local hemodynamic parameters were obtained by MR angiography and transcranial color-coded duplex sonography to calculate WSS magnitude. Multivariate logistic regression and a two-piecewise linear regression analysis were performed to identify which hemodynamic parameter independently characterizes the rupture status of ACoA aneurysms.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis showed that WSS (p < 0.001), circumferential wall tension (p = 0.005), age (p < 0.001), the angle between the A1 and A2 segments of the anterior cerebral artery (p < 0.001), size ratio (p = 0.023), aneurysm angle (p < 0.001), irregular shape (p = 0.005), and hypertension (grade II) (p = 0.006) were significant parameters. Multivariate analyses showed significant association between WSS in the parent artery and ACoA aneurysm rupture (p = 0.0001). WSS magnitude, evaluated by a two-piecewise linear regression model, was significantly correlated with the rupture of the ACoA aneurysm when the magnitude was higher than 12.3 dyne/cm2 (HR 7.2, 95% CI 1.5-33.6, p = 0.013).

CONCLUSIONS

WSS in the parent artery may be one of the reliable hemodynamic parameters characterizing the rupture status of ACoA aneurysms when the WSS magnitude is higher than 12.3 dyne/cm2. Analysis showed that with each additional unit of WSS (even with a 1-unit increase of WSS), there was a 6.2-fold increase in the risk of rupture for ACoA aneurysms.

Cerebral Microbleeds Could Be Independently Associated with Intracranial Aneurysm Rupture: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the presence of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) is independently associated with intracranial aneurysm rupture and to identify the time interval of CMB-related intracranial aneurysm rupture.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 1847 patients with unruptured and ruptured intracranial aneurysms from January 2010 to November 2017. Clinical records and imaging, including T2-weighted gradient-recalled echo sequence magnetic resonance imaging that identified the presence of CMBs preoperatively, were evaluated. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were done to determine which parameters were independent factors for aneurysm rupture. The time interval of CMB-related intracranial aneurysm rupture was also evaluated.

RESULTS

CMBs confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging were present in 142 patients (142/1847; 7.7%). Of 142 patients with CMBs, 56 patients (including 17 ruptured aneurysms) who received endovascular treatment and another 86 consecutive patients who did not receive embolization or surgery for various reasons were followed for 3-49 months. The incidence of CMB-related intracranial aneurysm rupture was 27.9% (24/86) during the follow-up period. The time interval of CMB-related intracranial aneurysm rupture was 3-27 months (median 9.5 months). Multivariate analyses showed CMBs were significantly correlated with intracranial aneurysm rupture (odds ratio = 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-2.4; P = 0.010).

CONCLUSIONS

CMBs were independently associated with intracranial aneurysm rupture. Patients with CMBs have a 60% increased risk of aneurysm rupture compared with patients without CMBs.

Comparison between Solitaire™ AB and Enterprise stent-assisted coiling for intracranial aneurysms

The aim of the present study was to analyze the feasibility, rate of procedure-related complications and midterm angiographic follow-up outcomes using the Enterprise (EP) and Solitaire™ AB (ST) stents in the stent-assisted coiling of intracranial aneurysms. In total, 81 patients with 90 aneurysms were included in the study, with the aim to treat 43 aneurysms with the EP stent (47.8%) and 47 aneurysms with the ST stent (52.2%). The 90 aneurysms were successfully stented and subsequently coiled; however, in four patients undergoing treatment with the EP stent, the stent was not navigable; thus, treatment with the ST stent was employed (EP, n=39, 43.3%; ST, n=51, 56.7%). Of the 90 aneurysms, 44 cases were ruptured aneurysms, with 74 located in the anterior circulation and 16 located in the posterior circulation. The stenting success rate of the ST stent was significantly higher compared with the EP stent. However, no statistically significant differences were observed with regard to the packing density, complete occlusion, progressive occlusion, recurrence rate, procedure-related complications, in-stent stenosis and stent migration rates between the two groups. In conclusion, the two common medical devices used for intracranial aneurysms are relatively safe and effective for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. However, due to the higher stenting success rate of the ST stent, this medical devise was demonstrated to be more flexible and feasible compared with the EP stent.

Endovascular treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a catastrophic neurologic event. Early triage of patients with SAH should include cardiopulmonary stabilization, neurologic assessment, and imaging. Conventional angiography with 3-dimensional rendering is necessary to accurately assess aneurysm morphology and location, so that treatment can be planned appropriately. Current evidence suggests that coil embolization can be beneficial for aneurysms amenable to endovascular treatment. The use of remodeling techniques has expanded the range of aneurysms treatable by endovascular means. Balloon remodeling can be a powerful technique for treating ruptured aneurysms with unfavorable morphology. However, stent-assisted technique is associated with significantly higher complication rates in ruptured aneurysms and requires dual antiplatelet agents, and should therefore be considered with great caution for ruptured aneurysms. Complications of ruptured aneurysm embolization include aneurysm perforation, which should be addressed with immediate occlusion of the aneurysm, and thromboembolism, which can be managed most effectively with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors.

Endovascular therapeutic strategies in ruptured intracranial aneurysms

The aim of the present study was to evaluate endovascular techniques used currently which were not available at the time of ISAT inclusion period, such as balloon remodelling and flow-divertion, in order to assess whether these new technologies have improved the endovascular approach outcomes. We present a review of articles, published in major journals, with the aim to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of coiling with balloon remodelling for the treatment of ruptured aneurysms in comparison to coiling performed without such coadjutant techniques. Furthermore, we reviewed publications reporting on the treatment of ruptured aneurysms in the acute phase with the one of the most recent technologies available nowadays: the flow diverting stent. Looking at the recent literature the results regarding ruptured aneurysms treated with balloon assisted coiling (BAC) have shown an improvement in terms of anatomical results and morbi-mortality rates. Case series of ruptured middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms treated by EVT report results similar to those obtained by surgical clipping. Several articles recently report encouraging results in treating ruptured dissecting and blister aneurysms with flow diverters. Questions regarding the best treatment available for ruptured aneurysms are yet to be answered. Hence there is a need for a subsequent trial aiming to answer these unresolved issues.

Endovascular treatment of very small and very large ruptured aneurysms of the anterior cerebral circulation: a single-center experience

INTRODUCTION

Endovascular treatment of aneurysms has been introduced as a less invasive method for decreasing the rate of aneurysm rerupture and subsequent subarachnoid hemorrhage. The outcome and complication rate for endovascular treatment of very small (≤3 mm) and very large (15-25 mm) intracranial aneurysms has been controversial. Here we report our experience with endovascular coiling of very small and very large ruptured aneurysms of the anterior cerebral circulation.

METHODS

Patients were included in the study if the maximum dimension of the intracranial ruptured aneurysm was reported to be ≤3 mm or 15-25 mm and if the aneurysm was within the anterior cerebral circulation. The largest dimension was calculated using CT angiography and was confirmed by digital subtraction angiography. Endovascular coiling was performed using Guglielmi detachable coils. All patients underwent follow-up contrast MR angiography every 6 months.

RESULTS

A total of 40 cases (18 females and 22 males) were included in this single-center study. Twenty-one very small and 19 very large ruptured aneurysms were analyzed. Preprocedural Hunt and Hess grades were determined. Endovascular coiling was performed successfully in most cases (97.5%), with unsuccessful coiling in 1 patient with a very small ruptured aneurysm. In the very small aneurysm group, the most common location was the anterior communicating artery and, in the large aneurysm group, the most common location was the middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation. The mean follow-up time was 15.08 months (range: 6-30 months). The 6th month modified Rankin scale (mRS) values for very small aneurysm cases were 0 (no symptoms at all) in 16 cases (76.2%) and 1 (no significant disability despite symptoms) in 5 cases (23.80%). For the very large aneurysm cases, the mRS values were 1 in 2 cases (10.5%), 2 in 7 cases (36.8%), 3 in 6 cases (31.6%), 4 in 3 cases (15.8%) and 6 in 1 case (died due to vasospasm 72 h later; 5.2%). The immediate complications that were observed were MCA branch occlusion in 1 very small aneurysm patient and early vasospasms in 3 very large aneurysm patients. The late complication that was observed was recanalization in 1 very small aneurysm case (1/21, 4.76%) and in 5 very large aneurysm cases (5/18, 27.77%).

CONCLUSION

Endovascular treatment of very small aneurysms is an effective method of treatment with acceptable immediate and long-term outcomes. Immediate and long-term complications were more prevalent in very large ruptured aneurysms.

Cerebral vasospasm after sub-arachnoid hemorrhage as a clinical predictor and phenotype for genetic association study

BACKGROUND

A typology of cerebral vasospasm has been proposed based on distinct clinical manifestations: delayed cerebral ischemia, symptomatic 'vasospasm', angiographic vasospasm, and transcranial Doppler vasospasm. We examined each distinct clinical manifestation in a nonparametric genetic association study.

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to examine and compare each four distinct acute clinical manifestations and test its perspectives in genetic association studies.

METHODS

Two hundred forty-five Caucasian patients with sub-arachnoid hemorrhage were evaluated for these four distinct clinical manifestations along with 906 600 single-nucleotide polymorphisms across the human genome.

RESULTS

The four clinical manifestations were significantly associated with each other as P-values ranged from 3·31 × 10(-4) to 8·10 × 10(-15) . Transcranial Doppler vasospasm showed significant genetic association with single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs999662, P = 3·39 × 10(-8) ). Statistical P-value of rs999662 in association with delayed cerebral ischemia, symptomatic 'vasospasm', and angiographic vasospasm was 0·0017, 0·0017, and 0·19, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite different criteria for each of the four clinical manifestations, they are significantly associated with each other. Our results suggest transcranial Doppler vasospasm may be an appropriate intermediate but still clinically relevant phenotype for genetic association studies. Association with SNP rs999662 indicates a potential role for the region containing the solute carrier family 12 member 3 (SLC12A3) gene in transcranial Doppler vasospasm following sub-arachnoid hemorrhage.