Novel balloon application for rescue and realignment of a proximal end migrated pipeline flex embolization device into the aneurysmal sac: complication management

Investigator-initiated clinical trial of stabilizer device: A novel intracranial exchange guidewire for neuroendovascular treatments

BACKGROUND

Neuroendovascular procedures, especially those involving significant vessel tortuosity, giant intracranial aneurysms, or distally located lesions, frequently necessitate exchange methods. However, exchange maneuvers pose a risk of inadvertent vessel injury. To address these challenges, a Stabilizer device was developed and evaluated for its efficacy and safety. This clinical trial aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the Stabilizer device in facilitating the navigation of neuroendovascular devices to target lesions in cases where the exchange technique was necessary.

METHODS

This was a single-arm, prospective, open-label, multicenter clinical trial performed at nine different sites. It focused on investigating the use of the Stabilizer device for treating intracranial aneurysms and atherosclerosis.

RESULTS

A total of 31 patients were enrolled across nine centers in Japan from July 21, 2022, to March 10, 2023. The study enrolled 24 (77.4%) patients with intracranial aneurysms and seven (22.6%) patients with intracranial artery stenosis. Majority of the target lesions were in the middle cerebral artery territory (83.9%). The Stabilizer device was used to exchange for 0.027-inch catheters, intermediate catheters, PTA balloons, and Wingspan stent system. The Stabilizer device demonstrated 100% technical success rate. While three complications related to the treatment were noted, there were no complications related to the device, including any vascular damage.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first multicenter clinical trial that investigated and demonstrated technical efficacy as well as overall safety profile of the Stabilizer device in neuroendovascular procedures where the use of an exchange method was necessary.

The POP (Pull on Pipe) Maneuver: A Technical Note for Rescuing a Prolapsed Pipeline Device

BACKGROUND

Flow diverters have revolutionized the treatment of large aneurysms. However, prolapse of the device into the aneurysm is a known complication that may have fatal consequences.

CASE

We present a case of a 21-year-old male with a giant aneurysm located in the cavernous segment of the right internal carotid artery. After Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) deployment, while retrieving the PED wire, the proximal end of the stent shortened, resulting in prolapse of the device into the aneurysm. We utilized the Pull on Pipe (POP) maneuver, characterized by the deployment of a second PED inside the lumen of the prolapsed device and gentle traction to restore the initial flow diverter into its proper position. The maneuver also allows for the immediate deployment of the second PED to improve proximal purchase and overall construct stability.

CONCLUSION

The POP maneuver is a novel strategy for salvaging herniated flow diverters and establishing a more stable PED construct.

A Multicenter Pilot Study on the Clinical Utility of Computational Modeling for Flow-Diverter Treatment Planning

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Selection of the correct flow-diverter size is critical for cerebral aneurysm treatment success, but it remains challenging due to the interplay of device size, anatomy, and deployment. Current convention does not address these challenges well. The goals of this pilot study were to determine whether computational modeling improves flow-diverter sizing over current convention and to validate simulated deployments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seven experienced neurosurgeons and interventional neuroradiologists used computational modeling to prospectively plan 19 clinical interventions. In each patient case, physicians simulated 2-4 flow-diverter sizes that were under consideration based on preprocedural imaging. In addition, physicians identified a preferred device size using the current convention. A questionnaire on the impact of computational modeling on the procedure was completed immediately after treatment. Rotational angiography image data were acquired after treatment and compared with flow-diverter simulations to validate the output of the software platform.

RESULTS

According to questionnaire responses, physicians found the simulations useful for treatment planning, and they increased their confidence in device selection in 94.7% of cases. After viewing the simulations results, physicians selected a device size that was different from the original conventionally planned device size in 63.2% of cases. The average absolute difference between clinical and simulated flow-diverter lengths was 2.1 mm. In 57% of cases, average simulated flow-diverter diameters were within the measurement uncertainty of clinical flow-diverter diameters.

CONCLUSIONS

Physicians found computational modeling to be an impactful and useful tool for flow-diverter treatment planning. Validation results showed good agreement between simulated and clinical flow-diverter diameters and lengths.

Salvage of Herniated Flow Diverters Using Stent and Balloon Anchoring Techniques: A Technical Note

BACKGROUND

The pipeline embolization device (PED; Medtronic, MN, USA) can sometimes herniate into the aneurysmal sac in an unexpected manner during or shortly after its deployment due to device foreshortening. In this report, we describe 2 endovascular techniques, which can be used to reposition a herniated PED construct into a more favorable alignment.

SUMMARY

In a 67-year-old patient who had an intraprocedural herniation of a PED device into a giant cavernous aneurysm, a stent anchor technique was used to reverse the herniation, reorient the PED construct, and achieve successful flow diversion. In a different patient with a giant superior hypophyseal aneurysm, a balloon anchor technique followed by deployment of an LVIS Jr (Microvention, Tustin, CA, USA) stent was used to reverse the herniation into the aneurysmal sac.

KEY MESSAGES

Stent anchor and balloon anchor techniques as described here can be used to reposition PED constructs, which have unexpectedly herniated into the aneurysm sac during attempted flow diversion for the treatment of giant aneurysms.