Treatment of cerebral vasospasm secondary to subarachnoid hemorrhage utilizing the Comaneci device

COManeci MechANical Dilation for vasospasm (COMMAND): multicenter experience

BACKGROUND

We report the largest multicenter experience to date of utilizing the Comaneci device for endovascular treatment of refractory intracranial vasospasm.

METHODS

Consecutive patients undergoing Comaneci mechanical dilatation for vasospasm were extracted from prospectively maintained registries in 11 North American centers (2020-2022). Intra-arterial vasodilators (IAV) were allowed, with the Comaneci device utilized after absence of vessel dilation post-infusion. Pre- and post-vasospasm treatment scores were recorded for each segment, with primary radiological outcome of score improvement post-treatment. Primary clinical outcome was safety/device-related complications, with secondary endpoints of functional outcomes at last follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 129 vessels in 40 patients (median age 52 years; 67.5% females) received mechanical dilation, 109 of which (84.5%) exhibited pre-treatment severe-to-critical vasospasm (ie, score 3/4). Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage was the most common etiology of vasospasm (85%), with 65% of procedures utilizing Comaneci-17 (92.5% of patients received IAV). The most treated segments were anterior cerebral artery (34.9%) and middle cerebral artery (31%). Significant vasospasm drop (pre-treatment score (3-4) to post-treatment (0-2)) was achieved in 89.9% of vessels (96.1% of vessels experienced ≥1-point drop in score post-treatment). There were no major procedural/post-procedural device-related complications. Primary failure (ie, vessel unresponsive) was encountered in one vessel (1 patient) (1/129; 0.8%) while secondary failure (ie, recurrence in previously treated segment requiring retreatment in another procedure) occurred in 16 vessels (7 patients) (16/129; 12.4%), with median time-to-retreatment of 2 days. Favorable clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0-2) was noted in 51.5% of patients (median follow-up 6 months).

CONCLUSIONS

The Comaneci device provides a complementary strategy for treatment of refractory vasospasm with reasonable efficacy/favorable safety. Future prospective trials are warranted.

Distal cerebral vasospasm treatment following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage using the Comaneci device: technical feasibility and single-center preliminary results

BACKGROUND

Balloon-assisted mechanical angioplasty for cerebral vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) has a number of limitations, including transient occlusion of the spastic blood vessel. Comaneci is an FDA-approved device for temporary coil embolization assistance which has recently also been approved for the treatment of distal symptomatic refractory vasospasm. We aimed to report the feasibility, efficacy and safety of our experience with Comaneci angioplasty for refractory distal vasospasm (up to the second segment of the cerebral arteries) following aSAH.

METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of a prospective series of 18 patients included between April 2019 and June 2021 with aSAH and symptomatic vasospasm refractory to medical therapy, who were treated using Comaneci-17-asssisted mechanical distal angioplasty. Immediate angiographic results, procedure-related complications, and clinical outcomes were assessed. Inter-rater reliability of the scores was determined using the intraclass correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

Comaneci-assisted distal angioplasty was performed in 18 patients, corresponding to 31 target arteries. All distal anterior segments were easily accessible with the Comaneci-17 device. Vasospasm improvement after Comaneci mechanical angioplasty was seen in 22 distal arteries (71%) (weighted Cohen's kappa (κ_w) 0.73, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.93). Vasospasm recurrence occurred in three patients (16.67%) and delayed cerebral infarction in three patients (16.67%), with a mean±SD delay between onset of symptoms and imaging follow-up (MRI/CT) of 32.61±8.93 days (κ_w 0.98, 95% CI 0.88 to 1).

CONCLUSION

This initial experience suggests that distal mechanical angioplasty performed with the Comaneci-17 device for refractory vasospasm following aSAH seems to be safe, with good feasibility and efficacy.

Vasospasm Management Strategies

Aim-

In this study, we present a broad presentation of the current state of cerebral vasospasm, including its pathogenesis, commonly used treatments, and future outlook.

Methods-

A literature review was conducted for cerebral vasospasms using the PubMed journal database (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). Relevant journal articles were narrowed down and selected using the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) option in PubMed.

Results-

Cerebral vasospasm is the persistent narrowing of cerebral arteries days after experiencing a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Eventually, if not corrected, this can lead to cerebral ischemia with significant neurological deficits and/or death. Therefore, it is clinically beneficial to diminish or prevent the occurrence or reoccurrence of vasospasm in patients following a SAH to prevent unwanted comorbidities or fatalities. We discuss the pathogenesis and mechanism of development that have been implicated in the progression of vasospasms as well as the manner in which clinical outcomes are quantitively measured. Further, we mention and highlight commonly used treatments to inhibit and reverse the course of vasoconstriction within the cerebral arteries. Additionally, we mention innovations and techniques that are being used to treat vasospasms and the outlook of their therapeutic value.

Conclusion-

Overall, we give a comprehensive summary of the disease that encapsulates cerebral vasospasm and the current and future standards of care that are used to treat it.

Delayed collapse of flow diverter due to acute severe vasospasm: another concern for flow diversion in ruptured aneurysms

In vivo morphological change of flow diverter stents (FDS) is a known phenomenon and can be seen secondary to various device- and vasculature-related factors such as improper sizing of the device, twisting of the device in tortuous anatomy, insufficient proximal landing zone, and insufficient chronic resistive force of the stent, etc. However, we have encountered a case where severe vasospasm due to aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage led to the collapse of the proximal end of the FDS. Development of vasospasm and consequent possible failure of the device should be taken into consideration when planning flow diversion in ruptured aneurysms.

Intracranial stenting as a bail-out option for posthemorrhagic cerebral vasospasm: a single-center experience with long-term follow-up

Background

Cerebral vasospasm (CVS) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Endovascular treatment, including intraarterial infusion of drugs with vasodilation effects, and balloon- and stentriever angioplasty, are helpful but may achieve only short-term effects. There is a clinical need for long-lasting treatment of refractory recurrent vasospasm. We report our experience in stent implantation as a treatment for recurrent severe post-SAH vasospasm.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of our institutional database of 883 patients with SAH, managed between January 2010 and December 2021, was performed. Six patients were identified as having received intracranial stenting in the context of post-SAH cerebral vasospasm. All patients were initially treated with intra-arterial infusion of nimodipine and/or milrinone. Self-expanding intracranial stents were implanted during endovascular aneurysm treatment to enable access despite impaired perfusion (Group 1) or as a bail-out strategy after failed intraarterial drug infusion or mechanical treatment (Group 2). All stented patients received dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for 6 months.

Results

Nine vessels in six patients with severe post-SAH vasospasm were stented. The stents were deployed in 16 vessel segments. All attempted implantations were technically successful. All patients demonstrated radiographic and clinical improvement of the vessel narrowing. No recurrent vasospasm or permanent vessel occlusion of the stented vessels was encountered. A thrombus formation in a Group 1 patient resolved under 4 mg eptifibatide IA infusion. During long-term angiographic follow-up, neither in-stent stenosis nor stent occlusion was found.

Conclusions

Endovascular implantation of self-expanding stents is a potential ultima ratio strategy for patients with severe refractory post-SAH cerebral vasospasm. Stents with reduced thrombogenicity (avoiding DAPT) and bioabsorbable self-expanding stents might further advance this concept.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12883-022-02862-4.

Vasospasm-Related Death after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Retrospective Case–Control Study

Background: Vasospasm after the rupture of an intracranial aneurysm is a frequent phenomenon and is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in patients who have survived intracranial hemorrhage and aneurysm treatment. We analyzed the diagnosis and management of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage who eventually died from ischemic brain damage due to vasospasm. Methods: Between January 2007 and December 2021 (15 years), a total of 1064 patients were diagnosed with an aneurysmal intracranial hemorrhage in a single comprehensive neurovascular center. Vasospasm was diagnosed in 408 patients (38.4%). A total of 187 patients (17.6%) died within 90 days of the aneurysm rupture. In 64 of these 187 patients (33.7%), vasospasm was considered to be the cause of death. In a retrospective analysis, demographic and clinical data for patients without, with non-fatal, and with fatal vasospasm were compared. The patients with fatal vasospasm were categorized into the following subgroups: “no diagnosis and treatment” (Group a), “delayed diagnosis” (Group b), “cardiovascular complications” (Group c), and “vasospasm-treatment complications” (Group d). Results: Among the patients with fatal vasospasm, 31 (48.4%) were assigned to group a, 26 (40.6%) to group b, seven (10.9%) to group c, and none (0%) to group d. Conclusion: The early recognition of severe posthemorrhagic vasospasm is a prerequisite for any treatment and requires routine diagnostic imaging in all unconscious patients. Aggressive endovascular vasospasm treatment may fail to prevent death but is infrequently the cause of a fatal outcome.

Related Factors of Cerebral Hemorrhage after Cerebral Infarction and the Effect of Atorvastatin Combined with Intensive Nursing Care

Background

Cerebral infarction is a common neurological disease with high incidence, which is the main factor causing death and disability in adults in China. Cerebral hemorrhage transformation is a common clinical complication. High NIHSS score at admission, atrial fibrillation, and small artery occlusion cerebral infarction can increase the risk of cerebral infarction complicated with hemorrhage transformation.

Aim

To explore the related factors of cerebral hemorrhage transformation after cerebral infarction and the value of atorvastatin calcium tablets combined with early intensive care measures.

Methods

In this study, a case-control study was conducted. Sixty patients with hemorrhagic transformation after cerebral infarction admitted to the Department of Neurology of our hospital from January 2017 to June 2021 were selected as the observation group, and 90 patients with cerebral infarction without hemorrhagic transformation during the same period were selected as the control group. The risk factors of hemorrhagic transformation after cerebral infarction were analyzed.

Results

The results of logistic regression model showed that the increased National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, TOAST classification of small artery occlusion, and large infarction lesions were the risk factors for hemorrhagic transformation in patients with cerebral infarction (P < 0.05). After 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment, the NIHSS scores of the intervention group were lower than those of the conventional group (P < 0.05). NIHSS scores of the two groups after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05). After three months of treatment, the patients in the intervention group with GOS score of 5 points accounted for 16.67%, and the patients with GOS score of 4 points accounted for 56.67%. The patients in the conventional group with GOS score of 5 points accounted for 6.67%, and the patients with GOS score of 4 points accounted for 33.33%. The prognosis of the intervention group was better than that of the conventional group on the whole (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Patients with hypertension, large infarction lesions, high NIHSS score at admission, atrial fibrillation, and small artery occlusion cerebral infarction can increase the risk of bleeding transformation in patients with cerebral infarction. For patients with bleeding transformation, atorvastatin calcium tablets combined with early intensive nursing intervention has a certain value for improving the prognosis of patients.

Continuous Intraarterial Nimodipine Infusion for the Treatment of Delayed Cerebral Ischemia After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Retrospective, Single-Center Cohort Trial

Background

Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) occurs after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Continuous intraarterial nimodipine infusion (CIAN) is a promising approach in patients with intracranial large vessel vasospasm (LVV). The objective of this retrospective single-center cohort study was to evaluate the outcome in aSAH-patients treated with CIAN.

Methods

CIAN was initiated and ended based on the clinical evaluation and transcranial Doppler (TCD), CT-angiography, CT-perfusion (PCT), and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Nimodipine (0.5–2.0 mg/h) was administered continuously through microcatheters placed in the extracranial internal carotid and/or vertebral artery. Primary outcome measures were Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at discharge and within 1 year after aSAH, and the occurrence of minor and major (<⅓ and >⅓ of LVV-affected territory) DCI-related infarctions in subsequent CT/MRI-scans. Secondary outcome measures were CIAN-associated complications.

Results

A total of 17 patients underwent CIAN. Median onset of CIAN was 9 (3–13) days after aSAH, median duration was 5 (1–13) days. A favorable outcome (GOS 4–5) was achieved in 9 patients (53%) at discharge and in 13 patients within 1 year (76%). One patient died of posthemorrhagic cerebral edema. Minor cerebral infarctions occurred in five and major infarctions in three patients. One patient developed cerebral edema possibly due to CIAN. Normalization of PCT-parameters within 2 days was observed in 9/17 patients. Six patients showed clinical response and thus did not require PCT imaging.

Conclusion

The favorable outcome in 76% of patients after 1 year is in line with previous studies. CIAN thus may be used to treat patients with severe therapy-refractory DCI.

Comaneci plus Balloon-assisted Embolization of Ruptured Wide-necked Cerebral Aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Recently, avant-garde combinations of ancillary devices as an adjunct to coil embolization for acutely ruptured and wide-necked cerebral aneurysms have emerged. This study sought to investigate the feasibility, safety and durability of the simultaneous combination of temporary neck-bridging devices plus balloon-assisted coiling (BAC) to treat acutely ruptured and wide-necked cerebral aneurysms.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of patients with ruptured and wide-necked intracranial bifurcation aneurysms treated with temporary stent plus balloon-assisted coiling. Anatomical features, technical details, intraprocedural complications, clinical and angiographic results were reviewed. Preprocedural and follow-up clinical statuses were evaluated using the modified Rankin scale (mRS).

RESULTS

A total of 21 patients (mean age 54.5 years, range 37-72 years) were identified. The immediate postprocedural angiography revealed complete aneurysm occlusion in 85.7% (18/21) of the cases. A periprocedural complication developed in 9.5% of the cases. There was no mortality in this study. The permanent morbidity rate was 4.7%. Long-term follow-up angiography was performed in 18 of 21 patients (85.7%) (the mean follow-up period was 21 months). The rate of complete aneurysm occlusion at final follow-up was 89.4%.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study confirmed that temporary stent plus balloon-assisted coiling is a durable and relatively safe endovascular technique for the treatment of ruptured wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms located in both the posterior and anterior cerebral circulation.

Use of the Cascade expandable net to treat cerebral vasospasm - initial clinical experience from a single centre with in vitro benchside tests

Background

The use of self-expanding stents to treat post-hemorrhagic cerebral vasospasm was recently described. We sought to determine the clinical efficacy of the Cascade device to treat delayed cerebral vasospasm (DCV). We performed benchside tests to determine the chronic outward force exerted by the Cascade in comparison to the Solitaire.

Methods

The chronic outward force (COF) of the Cascade M agile and Cascade L Agile was tested with equivalent tests of the Solitaire 4x20mm. Further tests to determine the forces generated in pre-formed tubes of 1.5–6 mm were performed using both fully and partially unsheathed Cascades.

A retrospective review to identify all patients with aSAH and DCV treated with a Cascade device between January 2020 and July 2021. We recorded the treatment arterial vessel diameters and hemorrhagic or ischemic complications.

Results

In vitro the Cascade generated greater radial force than the Solitaire. The force generated by the Cascade M Agile at 1.5 mm was approximately 64% higher than the Solitaire 6x40mm and approximately 350% higher than the Solitaire 4x20mm.

4 patients with DCV were identified all of whom were treated with a cascade device. In all cases there was a significant improvement in the diameter of the vasospastic vessels treated with an average diameter increase of approximately 300%. There were no complications from the Cascade. Delayed CT angiography showed persistent dilatation of the segments treated with the Cascade at 24 h.

Conclusion

The Cascade is a safe and effective device when used to treat DCV secondary to aSAH. Larger studies are required to validate our initial results.