Follow-up outcomes of intracranial aneurysms treated using braided or laser-cut stents with closed-cell design: a propensity score-matched case-controlled comparison

Risk Factors and Location of Intracranial Aneurysm Rupture in a Consecutive Chinese Han Population

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to retrospectively analyze and investigate the clinical data of 704 cases of ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIAs) and unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). The risk factors predicting aneurysm rupture were explored from the perspective of the clinical characteristics of intracranial aneurysm (IA).

METHODS

The clinical data of 704 patients with RIAs (494 patients) and UIAs (210 patients) admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital and Tianjin Fifth Central Hospital between January 2016 and May 2022 were analyzed. A detailed analysis of sex, age, history, personal history, drug intake, and site of aneurysm occurrence was performed. Age was analyzed in segments and strata, and parameters with significant differences in the preliminary analysis results were analyzed by logistic regression to predict factors associated with the risk of aneurysm rupture.

RESULTS

Among 494 patients with RIA (70.2%) and 210 patients with UIA (29.8%), the logistic regression showed that IA location appeared to be the most significant factor associated with RIA (OR, 95% CI: internal carotid artery (ICA), reference; anterior communicating artery,27.864,12.548-61.878; posterior communicating artery,12.408,6.658-23.124; anterior cerebral artery,5.804,2.333-14.440; middle cerebral artery,9.284,4.599-18.744; posterior circulation arteries, 4.224,2.011-8.871). Age was not a significant factor associated with RIA in the model and Hyperlipidemia (OR: 0.365; 95% CI: 0.171-0.779), Atherosclerosis (OR: 0.277; 95% CI: 0.172-0.446) and Multiple aneurysms (OR: 0.275; 95% CI: 0.177-0.425) patients were less likely to have RIA.IA location and age were the best predictors of RIA using the model.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings indicated that hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis have a protective effect on aneurysm rupture, and different anatomical sites of IA may be risk factors for the occurrence of IA rupture. Among the anatomical sites of IA, the anterior communicating artery and posterior communicating artery have a higher fracture risk.

Angiographic outcomes of embolization in patients with intracranial aneurysms with coil- assisted Laser cut stent versus braided stents

INTRODUCTION

Intracranial aneurysms (IA) are a focal dilatation of the vessel wall, the rupture of these, causes subarachnoid hemorrhage. Until now, endovascular management is the ideal treatment, providing the interventionist a range of options among which the stent and coils embolization stands out because of its occlusion rate. This study presents the results of a retrospective cohort comparing the effectiveness, morbidity, and mortality of IA treatment with laser-cut stent-assisted coils versus braided stents.

METHODOLOGY

Retrospective cohort of patients diagnosed with unruptured intracranial aneurysms treated with coil-assisted laser-cut stents or braided stents between January 2014 and December 2021.

RESULTS

In total, 138 patients with 147 intracranial aneurysms were analyzed, 91 of them were treated with laser-cut stent and 56 with braided stents. The main antecedent was arterial hypertension (48.55%). In the immediate angiographic control, a Raymond Roy scale (RRO) I was obtained in 86.81% of the patients with laser-cut stents and 87.50% of the patients with braided stents. In the angiographic follow-up at 12 months, an RRO I occlusion rate of 85.19% was reported in both groups. Perioperative complications occur in 16 patients treated with laser-cut stents and 12 patients treated with braided stents. Three patients presented bleeding complications during the 12-month follow-up, of which two correspond to patients treated with braided stents and one with a laser-cut stent.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of patients with intracranial aneurysms with laser-cut stents or braided stents and coils is just as safe and effective.

Treatment of broad-based intracranial aneurysms with the LVIS EVO stent: a retrospective observational study at two centers with short- and medium-term follow-up

The use of stents is well established in the treatment of broad-based intracranial aneurysms. The aim of this study is to report on safety, feasibility and midterm follow-up of the new LVIS EVO braided stent for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms. All consecutive patients with intracranial aneurysms who were treated with the LVIS EVO stent in two high volume neurovascular centers were retrospectively enrolled in this observational study. Clinical and technical complications, angiographic outcome and clinical short-term and midterm results were evaluated. The study included 112 patients with 118 aneurysms. 94 patients presented with incidental aneurysms, 13 patients with acute SAH and 2 patients with acute cranial nerve palsy. For 100 aneurysms a jailing technique was used, re-crossing of the stent was performed in 3 cases. For the residual 15 cases the stent was placed as a bail-out or as a second step. Immediate complete occlusion was observed in 85 aneurysms (72%). Midterm follow-up was available for 84 patients with 86 aneurysms (72.9%). One stent showed asymptomatic complete occlusion on follow-up imaging, in all other cases no in-stent stenosis was observed. The rate of complete occlusion was 79.1% at 6 months and 82.2% at 12-18 months. Midterm follow-up data of this retrospective observational cohort of two neurovascular centers corroborates the safety profile of the LVIS EVO device for treatment of ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Braided stent-assisted coil embolization versus laser engraved stent-assisted coil embolization in patients with unruptured complex intracranial aneurysms

PURPOSES

Braided and laser-cut stents both are efficacious and safe for coiling intracranial aneurysms. The study aimed to compare outcomes following braided stent-assisted coil embolization versus laser engraved stent-assisted coil embolization in 266 patients who were diagnosed with unruptured intracranial aneurysms of different types and locations.

METHODS

Patients with unruptured complex intracranial aneurysms underwent braided (BSE cohort, n = 125) or laser engraved (LSE cohort, n = 141) stent-assisted embolization.

RESULTS

The deployment success rate was higher for patients of the LSE cohort than those of the BSE cohort (140 [99%] vs. 117 [94%], p = 0.0142). Seventy-one (fifty-seven percentages) and 73 (52%) were coil embolization procedure success rates of the BSE and the LSE cohorts. Periprocedural intracranial hemorrhage was higher in patients of the BSE cohort than those of the LSE cohort (8 [6%] vs. 1 [1%], p = 0.0142). Four (three percentages) patients from the LSE cohort and 3 (2%) patients from the BSE cohort had in-stent thrombosis during embolization. Permanent morbidities were higher in patients of the LSE cohort than those of the BSE cohort (8 [6%] vs. 1 [1%], p = 0.0389). Higher successful procedures (76% vs. 68%) and fewer postprocedural intracranial hemorrhage (0% vs. 5%) and mortality (0% vs. 5%) were reported for patients of the BSE cohort in posterior circulation aneurysmal location than those of the LSE cohort. Laser engraved stent has fewer problems with deployment and may have better periprocedural and follow-up outcomes after embolization.

CONCLUSIONS

Braided stent-assisted embolization should be preferred when the aneurysm is present in the posterior circulation.

Is it safe to discontinue antiplatelet medication after stent-assisted coil embolization? If so, when is the best time?

PURPOSE

Antiplatelet maintenance after stent-assisted coil embolization (SACE) is generally considered essential to avoid post-procedural thromboembolic complications. However, there is still debate as to whether it is safe to discontinue antiplatelet drugs after SACE or when is the best time to do so. We investigate herein the clinical outcomes experienced by patients who discontinue antiplatelet agents after SACE.

METHODS

From a prospective database, we retrieved the data for 120 consecutive patients (harboring 130 aneurysms) in whom antiplatelet agents were discontinued after SACE between January 2010 and December 2019. We defined thromboembolic complications associated with discontinuation as neurologic or radiographic ischemia that occurred within 6 months of discontinuation of antiplatelet agents; the lesion was required to be correlated with the stented artery.

RESULTS

The mean time of discontinuation of antiplatelet medication was 31.4 ± 18.3 months after SACE (median, 26 months). The majority of patients stopped antiplatelet medication between 18 and 36 months after SACE (74 patients, 61.6%). Laser-cut closed-cell stent was most commonly applied in 91 aneurysms (70.0%), followed by braided closed-cell (n=29; 22.3 %) and laser-cut open-cell stent 10 (7.7 %). No patients experienced cerebral ischemia related to discontinuation of antiplatelet medication.

CONCLUSION

Our preliminary study suggests that it may be safe to discontinue antiplatelet medication after SACE in patients at low risk for ischemia. The optimal time to discontinue might be around 18 to 36 months after SACE. Large cohort-based studies or randomized clinical trials are warranted to confirm these results.

Stent-assisted coiling vs. coiling alone of ruptured tiny intracranial aneurysms: A contemporary cohort study in a high-volume center

Objective

This study aims to compare the safety and efficacy of stent-assisted coiling (SAC) with those of coiling alone (CA) for the treatment of ruptured tiny intracranial aneurysms.

Methods

We enrolled 245 patients with ruptured tiny intracranial aneurysms treated with coil embolization. Patients were grouped into SAC and CA groups. Baseline characteristics, periprocedural complications, clinical outcomes, and angiographic results were compared between the two groups. In addition, a subgroup analysis was conducted in the SAC group, and patients were regrouped into low-profile visualized intraluminal support (LVIS) and laser-cut groups to compare the perioperative procedure-related complications and clinical and angiographic follow-up outcomes.

Results

All baseline characteristics were equivalent between the two groups except for aneurysm size and dome-to-neck aspect ratio. The rates of overall procedure-related complications, intraprocedural rupture, postoperative early rebleeding, intraprocedural thrombosis, postprocedural thrombosis, and procedure-related mortality were comparable between the two groups (P = 0.105, 0.145, 0.308, 1.000, 1.000, 0.160, respectively). Nevertheless, the rate of hemorrhagic complication in the SAC group was significantly higher (P = 0.023). The angiographic follow-up outcomes showed that the SAC group had a higher complete occlusion rate and lower recurrence rate (88.2 vs. 67.1%, 5.4 vs. 15.2%, P = 0.001). The clinical outcomes at discharge and follow-up between the two groups demonstrated no significant differences (P = 0.192 and P = 0.085, respectively). For subgroup analysis, LVIS stents were associated with a significantly higher rate of complete occlusion (P = 0.014) and a lower rate of intraprocedural rupture (p = 0.021). Moreover, multivariate analysis showed that there were no predictors for the overall, hemorrhagic, and ischemic procedure-related complications, while Raymond class was an independent predictor of retreatment (OR = 3.508, 95% CI 1.168-11.603; P = 0.029).

Conclusion

Stent-assisted coiling may increase the incidence of hemorrhagic events with favorable angiographic results and comparable clinical outcomes compared with stand-alone coiling. Nevertheless, LVIS stent could improve the safety compared with lazer-cut stent. Simultaneously, considering the better long-term effect, LVIS stent-assisted coiling may be a preferable choice for ruptured tiny intracranial aneurysms.

LVIS EVO stent-through-balloon after hydrocoil embolization of intracranial aneurysms: One-year results

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To evaluate the durability and safety of complete intracranial aneurysm occlusion at one year using the low-profile braided intracranial LVIS EVO stent.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective, monocentric, observational study of unruptured wide-necked intracranial aneurysms treated with the LVIS EVO stent-through-balloon technique after balloon-assisted hydrocoil embolization. Imaging and clinical data were assessed by two blinded independent neuroradiologists and neurologists, respectively. Primary endpoint was complete angiographic occlusion on day 0 and at 12 months. Secondary endpoints included clinical safety using the modified Rankin scale (mRS), ischemic and hemorrhagic adverse events, parent vessel stenosis > 50% or occlusion and retreatment rate.

RESULTS

103 aneurysms in 103 patients were included (53 years-old, 77% women). Mean aneurysm size and neck were 7 and 4 mm, respectively. Complete occlusion was 97% initially and 90% at 12 months, with pending follow up in 17.5% patients. Five patients (5%) with partially stented necks were retreated with a second stent in a T-configuration. Two stents failed to open initially and were immediately retrieved. Asymptomatic parent vessel occlusion and severe in-stent stenosis occurred in 1% and 3%, respectively. The 12-month procedure-related permanent neurological deficit and mortality rates (mRS 3-6) were 2% and 1%, respectively. There was one fatal bleeding but no large ischemic complications.

CONCLUSION

Delivering the LVIS EVO stent through a dual lumen balloon after balloon-assisted hydrocoil embolization yields a high and stable rate of complete aneurysm occlusion at one year with a reasonable immediate and delayed complication rate.

Midterm Outcomes After Low-Profile Visualization Endoluminal Support or Atlas Stent-Assisted Coiling of Intracranial Aneurysms: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

BACKGROUND

The interplay of various commercially available stents during coil embolization of intracranial aneurysms and their ultimate impact are subject to debate.

OBJECTIVE

To compare midterm outcomes of Low-Profile Visualization Endoluminal Support (LVIS) (MicroVention Inc) and Atlas (Stryker) stent-assisted coiling procedures.

METHODS

A total of 459 intracranial aneurysms subjected to coil embolization using LVIS (n = 318) or Atlas stents (n = 141) between April 2015 and December 2019 were eligible for study. To assess occlusive status postembolization, magnetic resonance angiography and/or conventional angiography were used. The Raymond classification was applied to categorize recanalization. Our analysis was propensity score matched according to probability of stent type deployed.

RESULTS

Eventually, 41 aneurysms (8.9%) displayed recanalization (minor, 28; major, 13) 6 mo after coiling. Patient age (P = .018), sex (P = .015), aneurysmal location (P < .001), and type of aneurysm (P < .001) differed significantly by group. Overall and major recanalization rates at midterm were similar in both groups (9.1% and 8.5% vs 3.1% and 2.1%, respectively), and there was no significant difference even after 1:1 propensity score matching (odds ratio [OR] = 0.75 [P = .514] and OR = 0.75 [P = .706], respectively).

CONCLUSION

In stent-assisted coil embolization of intracranial aneurysms, midterm outcomes of LVIS and Atlas device groups were similar, despite theoretic LVIS superiority. Further randomized comparative studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Clinical and Angiographic Outcomes After Stent-Assisted Coiling of Cerebral Aneurysms With Laser-Cut and Braided Stents: A Comparative Analysis of the Literatures

Introduction: Stent-assisted coiling (SAC) plays an important role in endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms (IAs). This comparative analysis examines the safety and efficacy of SAC in general and compares clinical and angiographic outcomes between laser-cut stents and braided stents.

Methods: Relevant English-language studies were identified via a PubMed search for published articles regarding outcomes of SAC using laser-cut stents and braided stents published from 2015 to 2020. Data from 56 studies that met our inclusion criteria were pooled and statistically compared.

Results: A total of 4,373 patients harboring with 4,540 IAs were included. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of stent type: laser-cut stents (2,076 aneurysms in 1991 patients; mean follow-up, 12.99 months) and braided stents (2,464 aneurysms in 2382 patients; mean follow-up, 18.41 months). Overall, the rates of successful stent deployment, thromboembolic events, stent stenosis, periprocedural intracranial hemorrhage, permanent morbidity, mortality, and recanalization were 97.72, 4.72, 2.87, 1.51, 2.14, 1.16, and 6.06%, respectively. Laser-cut stents were associated with a significantly higher rate of successful deployment (p = 0.003) and significantly lower rate of periprocedural intracranial hemorrhage (p = 0.048). Braided stents were associated with a significantly lower rate of permanent morbidity (p = 0.015).

Conclusion: SAC of IAs using laser-cut stents or braided stents was effective and safe. Rates of thromboembolic events, stent stenosis, mortality, and recanalization were comparable between the stent types. Braided stents were associated with lower permanent morbidity while laser-cut stents were associated with more favorable rates of successful deployment and periprocedural intracranial hemorrhage.

Is a small coil more effective as a finishing coil for the embolization of intracranial aneurysms? Outcomes using GALAXY G3™ MINI micro-coils as finishing coils in a single center

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of coil embolization using a 0.009 inches primary outer diameter coil as finishing coil (FC) to that of 0.01 inches.

METHODS

From February and August 2020, 131 aneurysms that performed coil embolization using FC with a second loop diameter of 1 mm, were reviewed retrospectively, conducting propensity score matching and logistic regression analysis. Angiographic results such as, occlusion grade, packing density, failure and event were compared between 0.009 inches coil of GALAXY G3™ MINI microcoil (n = 54) and 0.01 inches coils (n = 77).

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between two groups, but more events occurred in the 0.009 group. (Odds ratio, 3.65; 95% CI, 1.06-12.55; P = 0.031) In the results of coil embolization, successful occlusion occlusion (complete occlusion and residual neck) was identified more in the 0.01 group. After propensity score matching, the variables in each group were similar, but the successful occlusion was higher in the 0.01 group as in the total population. Events tended to occur more frequently in the 0.009 inch group, and logistic regression analysis showed slightly higher events in the angled microcatheter. (48.3% versus 76.9%., P = 0.075), Also, the 0.009 inch FC is an independent risk factor. (Odds ratio, 3.84; 95% CI, 1.07-13.80; P = 0.039).

CONCLUSIONS

Using 0.01 inches coils as FC increased the packing density after the procedure, and showed more successful occlusion than using a 0.009 inches coil. The probability of unexpected events was observed more than three times in the 0.009 inch group.

Y-stent assisted coiling of ruptured wide neck intracranial aneurysm in the acute phase

BACKGROUND

The objective of the present study is to analyze the outcomes of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in the acute phase after treatment with Y-stent-assisted coiling (YSAC) embolization.

METHODS

This retrospective study assessed of 30 patients with acutely ruptured wide-neck aneurysms following YSAC treatment between April 2013 and October 2019. The demographic data, aneurysm occlusion grade, procedural and periprocedural complications, and clinical outcomes were assessed.

RESULTS

The procedure was completed in 30 cases (90.1%) and technical failure occurred in 3 cases (9.1%). Immediate control angiography revealed that total occlusion Raymond-Ray Class 1 (RR1) was achieved in 21 (70%), neck filling (RR2) in eight (26.6%) and sac filling (RR1) in one (3.3%) aneurysm. Upon angiographic follow-up, RR1 occlusion was observed in 15 (71.4%) patients, RR2 in three (14.3%) patients and RR3 in three (14.3%) patients. In-stent thrombus developed in five (16.6%) patients; procedural ischemic events were observed in four (13.3%) patients; and two (6.6%) patients were symptomatic. A periprocedural asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was detected in two patients. At discharge, 17 (56.6%) patients were in good clinical condition, six (20%) were in a severe disability condition, and seven (23.3%) patients had died. At the final follow-up visit (mean: 18.9 months), 16 (76,2%) of 21 patients were in a good clinical condition and five (23.8%) had severe disabilities.

CONCLUSIONS

Y-stent assisted coiling in might be a feasible and promising option for treatment in acute phase in selected wide-necked ruptured intracranial aneurysms.