Aneurysmal rupture during angiography

Impact of immediate general anesthesia in the emergency room on prevention of rebleeding after subarachnoid hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Aneurysm rebleeding is fatal in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). We aimed to investigate whether immediate general anesthesia (iGA) management in the emergency room, upon arrival, prevents rebleeding after admission and reduces mortality following aSAH.

METHODS

The clinical data of 3033 patients with World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grade 1, 2, or 3 aSAH from the Nagasaki SAH Registry Study between 2001 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. iGA was defined as sedation and analgesia using intravenous anesthetics and opioids combined with intubation induction. We calculated crude and adjusted odds ratios to evaluate the associations between iGA and the risk of rebleeding/death using multivariable logistic regression models with fully conditional specification for multiple imputations. In the analysis of the relationship between iGA and death, we excluded patients with aSAH who died within 3 days after the onset of symptoms.

RESULTS

Of the 3033 patients with aSAH who met the eligibility criteria, 175 patients (5.8%) received iGA (mean age, 62.4 years; 49 were male). Heart disease, WFNS grade, and lack of iGA were independently associated with rebleeding in the multivariable analysis with multiple imputations. Among the 3033 patients, 15 were excluded due to death within 3 days after the onset of symptoms. After excluding these cases, our analysis revealed that age, diabetes mellitus, history of cerebrovascular disease, WFNS grade, Fisher grade, lack of iGA, rebleeding, postoperative rebleeding, no shunt operation, and symptomatic spasm were independently associated with mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Management by iGA was associated with a 0.28-fold decrease in the risks of both rebleeding and mortality in patients with aSAH, even after adjusting for the patient's history of diseases, comorbidities, and aSAH status. Thus, iGA can be a treatment for the prevention of rebleeding before aneurysmal obliteration treatment.

An in vitro study of pressure increases during contrast injections in diagnostic cerebral angiography

BACKGROUND

During diagnostic cerebral angiography, the contrast bolus injected into a vessel can cause substantial changes in baseline pressures and flows. One potential, and serious complication is the re-rupture of aneurysms due to these injections. The goals of this in vitro study were to evaluate the effect of injection conditions on intraneurysmal pressure changes during angiography.

METHODS

A silicone replica of a complete circle of Willis model with ophthalmic, anterior communicating, and basilar tip aneurysms was connected to a physiologically accurate flow pump. Contrast injections were performed under different conditions (carotid or vertebral vessel imaging, catheter diameter, injection rate, injection time, and arterial blood flow rate) and the pressure in each aneurysm was recorded before and during each injection. The effect of injection conditions on percentage increase in aneurysm pressures was statistically assessed. Additionally, the effect of the distance between the aneurysm and the catheter-tip on aneurysmal pressures was assessed.

RESULTS

Mean intraneurysmal pressures during injection (84.5 ± 10.8 mmHg) were significantly higher than pre-injection pressures (80.4 ± 10.6 mmHg, p < 0.0001). Only 3 of the 5 conditions - carotid injections, higher injection rates, and smaller catheter diameters - significantly increased intraneurysmal pressures. The catheter-tip distance showed no correlation to pressure increases.

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing contrast injection rates and decreasing catheter diameters are correlated to intraneurysmal pressure increases during angiography irrespective of the distance to the catheter tip. Future in vivo studies are required to confirm these findings and determine whether the amplitude of pressure increases with commonly used injection rates can be clinically detrimental.

A Case of Internal Carotid Artery Dissection with Ischemic Onset, Followed by Subarachnoid Hemorrhage during Diagnostic Angiography

Objective

Internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection is known to cause binary types of stroke, cerebral infarction, and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). However, it is rare that these two pathologies take place in a clinical scenario. We report a case of ICA dissection with ischemic onset, which was followed by SAH on the same day during diagnostic angiography.

Case Presentation

A 60-year-old woman with chronic hypertension rapidly developed right hemiplegia. She had been suffering from slight headache and abnormal sensation in the right limbs 1 week before the ictus. MRI demonstrated small acute infarctions in the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory. The left ICA was not visualized on MRA. Diffusion-perfusion mismatch was indicated by the automated image postprocessing system. Endovascular recanalization was planned to prevent the progression of cerebral infarction. After advancing a 5MAX ACE, initial left ICA angiography was performed, resulting in extravasation of contrast medium from the C2 segment of the left ICA. 3D rotational angiography revealed left ICA dissection of the C2 segment. To secure hemostasis, the patient underwent internal trapping at the C1 and C2 segments of the left ICA. Collateral flow to the left MCA via an anterior communicating artery was observed. On day 28, the patient was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital with right hemiplegia and motor aphasia.

Conclusion

In cases of tandem lesions with preceding neurological symptoms, ICA dissection should be considered as one of the causes. Careful injection of contrast medium may be necessary if ICA dissection is strongly suspected.

Factors related to adverse events during endovascular coil embolization for ruptured cerebral aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The risk factors for adverse events for example, intraprocedural rupture (IPR), ischemic complication within 24 hours, and rebleeding after endovascular coil embolization for a ruptured cerebral aneurysm remain unclear. The aim of this study was to identify significant associated risk factors.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated data from 5358 patients listed on the Japanese Registry of Neuroendovascular Therapy 3 during 2010-2014.

RESULTS

IPR, ischemic complications, and rebleeding occurred during or after 221 (4.1%), 226 (4.2%), and 63 (1.2%) treatments, respectively. All of the adverse events were significantly associated with the patients' poor outcomes at 30 days. Multivariate analysis revealed the factors independently related to these adverse events as follows: (1) for IPR: female sex, bifurcation type, <5 mm aneurysm, emergent surgery, local anesthesia, a balloon-assisted technique; (2) for an ischemic complication: poor World Federation World Federation of Neurological Societies (WFNS) grade, wide neck, and stent-assisted technique; (3) for rebleeding: poor WFNS grade, bifurcation type, wide neck, and body filling as the initial result.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge of the risk factors of endovascular coil embolization and paying attention to them are essential for patients' safe treatment and good outcomes.

Should Cerebral Angiography Be Avoided within Three Hours after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage?

Objective

While the risk of aneurysmal rebleeding induced by catheter cerebral angiography is a serious concern and can delay angiography for a few hours after a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), current angiographic technology and techniques have been much improved. Therefore, this study investigated the risk of aneurysmal rebleeding when using a recent angiographic technique immediately after SAH.

Methods

Patients with acute SAH underwent immediate catheter angiography on admission. A four-vessel examination was conducted using a biplane digital subtraction angiography (DSA) system that applied a low injection rate and small volume of a diluted contrast, along with appropriate control of hypertension. Intra-angiographic aneurysmal rebleeding was diagnosed in cases of extravasation of the contrast medium during angiography or increased intracranial bleeding evident in flat-panel detector computed tomography scans.

Results

In-hospital recurrent hemorrhages before definitive treatment to obliterate the ruptured aneurysm occurred in 11 of 266 patients (4.1%). Following a univariate analysis, a multivariate analysis using a logistic regression analysis revealed that modified Fisher grade 4 was a statistically significant risk factor for an in-hospital recurrent hemorrhage (p =0.032). Cerebral angiography after SAH was performed on 88 patients ≤3 hours, 74 patients between 3–6 hours, and 104 patients >6 hours. None of the time intervals showed any cases of intra-angiographic rebleeding. Moreover, even though the DSA ≤3 hours group included more patients with a poor clinical grade and modified Fisher grade 4, no case of aneurysmal rebleeding occurred during erebral angiography.

Conclusion

Despite the high risk of aneurysmal rebleeding within a few hours after SAH, emergency cerebral angiography after SAH can be acceptable without increasing the risk of intra-angiographic rebleeding when using current angiographic techniques and equipment.

Cerebral catheter angiography and its complications

Catheter-based angiography is an important but invasive procedure in vascular neurology. It is used mainly for diagnosis and for planning treatment in patients with a suspected underlying vascular abnormality. It is often performed as a semiurgent, planned investigation or linked to an interventional procedure. Cerebral angiography provides high-resolution, three-dimensional, pathoanatomical data about the cerebral vasculature and also allows real-time analysis of blood flow. Contrast injections can be repeated to identify subtleties. A physical intervention may also follow angiography. For these reasons, angiography remains the gold standard for delineating vascular lesions of the brain (and spine). Permanent neurological complications are rare, approximately 1%, but become increasingly common in patients aged over 55 years. The main complications are embolic stroke, groin haematoma and contrast-induced nephropathy. In the new era of thrombectomy, it may transpire that other specialists including neurologists may learn to perform the procedure and to manage its complications.

Incidence and risk factors for rebleeding during cerebral angiography for ruptured intracranial aneurysms

PURPOSE

The purpose was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for rebleeding during cerebral angiography in ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Among 1896 patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms between September 2006 and December 2013, a total of 11 patients who experienced rebleeding of the ruptured aneurysms during digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were recruited in this study.

RESULTS

There were 184 patients (9.7%) who had suffered rebleeding prior to the securing procedure. Among them, 11 patients experienced rebleeding during DSA and other 173 patients at a time other than DSA. Eight (72.7%) of the 11 patients experienced rebleeding during three-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA). The incidence of rebleeding during DSA was 0.6% in patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that aneurysm location in anterior circulation [odds ratio=14.286; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.877 to 250.0; p=0.048] and higher aspect ratio (odds ratio=3.040; 95% CI, 1.896 to 10.309; p=0.041) remained independent risk factors for rebleeding during DSA.

CONCLUSION

Ruptured aneurysms located in anterior circulation with a high aspect ratio might have the risk of rebleeding during DSA, especially during 3DRA.

Timing of operation for poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a common and dangerous disease with an unfavorable prognosis. Patients with poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage (Hunt & Hess Grades 4-5) are unconscious on admission. Because of the high mortality and disability rate associated with poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage, it is often treated conservatively. Timing of surgery for poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is still controversial, therefore this study aims to identify the optimal time to operate on patients admitted in poor clinical condition.

METHODS/DESIGN

Ninety-nine patients meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned into three treatment groups. The early surgery group received operation within 3 days after onset of subarachnoid hemorrhage (day of SAH = day 1); the intermediate surgery group received operation from days 4 to 7, and surgery was performed on the late surgery group after day 7. Follow-up was performed 1, 3, and 6 months after aneurysm clipping. Primary indicators of outcome included the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale and the Modified Rankin Scale, while secondary indicators of outcome were assessed using the Barthel Index and mortality.

DISCUSSION

This is the first prospective, single-center, observer-blinded, randomized controlled trial to elucidate optimal timing for surgery in poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage patients. The results of this study will be used to direct decisions of surgical intervention in poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage, thus improving clinical outcomes for patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-TRC-12002917.

Rebleeding of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in computed tomography angiography: risk factor, rebleeding pattern, and outcome analysis

OBJECTIVE

For patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), computed tomography angiography (CTA) has been the first imaging modality for aneurysm detection. We evaluate the rate, time distribution, risk factors, and clinical outcome of aneurysmal rebleeding by CTA findings.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with SAH presenting to our hospital, a tertiary care hospital, were retrospectively included. We reviewed images for all patients receiving an initial noncontrast computed tomography scan and further CTA for nontraumatic SAH surveillance with focus on rebleeding evidence.

RESULTS

A total of 12 patients with early aneurysmal rebleeding (12/110 patients [10.9%]) within 6 hours after emergency room arrival were found with dismal outcome (50% mortality) and 3 rebleeding patterns: pattern 1 of rapid active bleeding with contrast extravasation, pattern 2 of slow active bleeding with contrast leakage in the delayed venous phase, and pattern 3 of hematoma enlargement. The risk factor and poor prognostic sign include larger aneurysm diameter (≧7 mm) and contrast extravasation during CTA.

CONCLUSIONS

Rebleeding rate of aneurysmal SAH in the hyperacute stage at less than 6 hours is 10.9% with poor prognosis in this study, especially in patients with active bleeding demonstrated in CTA.

Hyperacute cerebral aneurysm rerupture during CT angiography

OBJECT

The object of this study was to identify the clinical features and outcomes of a subgroup of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) who had active contrast extravasation from a ruptured aneurysm during initial cerebral CT angiography (CTA).

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective study of spontaneous SAH cases involving patients treated at their institute. They identified 9 cases in which active contrast extravasation was evident on the initial CT angiogram. Another 12 similar cases were also identified in a literature review and data was gathered from these cases to evaluate the outcomes.

RESULTS

Analysis of all 21 cases revealed that the overall outcomes in cases characterized by active aneurysmal bleeding during CTA were poor. Seventy-six percent of patients had unfavorable results. Patients who showed poor neurological status at presentation died no matter what kind of treatment they received. In contrast, patients who presented with good neurological status initially had a chance of favorable outcome. Among the patients with good initial neurological status, most demonstrated rapid deterioration of their condition during the CTA examination; only those who received immediate and effective decompressive surgery and aneurysm obliteration had good results.

CONCLUSIONS

Active aneurysmal rebleeding during CTA is an uncommon but devastating event. Though the mortality of this distinct group of patients remains high, a clinical subgroup may benefit from immediate surgery. Patients with good initial neurological status who show rapid neurological deterioration may still have a favorable outcome if they undergo timely and successful decompressive surgery and proper aneurysm obliteration. Patients who present with poor neurological status do badly, and there is no effective treatment for such patients.

Active bleeding in acute subarachnoid hemorrhage observed by multiphase dynamic-enhanced CT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Acute SAH is reportedly associated with rebleeding from aneurysms, and recent advances in imaging technology allow us to visualize active bleeding in SAH cases. This study aimed to retrospectively investigate the incidence and characteristics of active bleeding in patients with spontaneous SAH by using multiphase dynamic-enhanced CT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively surveyed a series of patients with SAH who underwent CTP with 18-phase dynamic enhancement and confirmed the presence of extravasated contrast medium in the source image. We compared clinical features between 2 groups of patients with and without extravasation.

RESULTS

Active bleeding was observed with increasing enhancement in 25.5% (13/51) of patients. All patients with extravasation were in Claassen grade 3 or 4 and WFNS grades 3, 4, or 5. The other group without extravasation included patients in all grades. A significant difference was observed in Claassen grade, WFNS grade, and increase of hematomas in follow-up CT (P < .05, for each) between the 2 groups. All CTP results of patients with extravasation were obtained within 2 hours of the onset of symptoms of SAH (P < .05). There was no significant difference in mortality at 14 days between the 2 groups (P = .128).

CONCLUSIONS

A high incidence of active bleeding (25.5%) was detected by multiphase dynamic-enhanced CT in patients with acute SAH. These results indicate that an awareness of active bleeding in patients with SAH has the potential to affect the treatment strategy.

Neurogenic pulmonary edema after rupture of intracranial aneurysm during endovascular coiling

Neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) is a well-known entity, occurs after acute severe insult to the central nervous system. It has been described in relation to different clinical scenario. However, NPE has rarely been mentioned after endovascular coiling of intracranial aneurysms. Here, we report the clinical course of a patient who developed NPE after aneurysmal rupture during endovascular surgery. There was significant cardiovascular instability possibly from stimulation of hypothalamus adjacent to the site of aneurysm. This case highlights the predisposition of minimally invasive procedures like endovascular coiling to life-threatening complications such as NPE.

Emergency surgical salvage for severe intracranial aneurysm rupture during endovascular coiling procedures not amenable to additional coiling

Background:

We report the management and outcomes of six patients who underwent emergency surgical intervention in the setting of severe intraprocedural rupture during endovascular treatment of an intracranial aneurysm not amenable to additional coiling.

Methods:

From July 1997 through December 2010, our neurovascular service treated 1613 patients with coil embolization. During this time, we encountered six patients who suffered severe intraprocedural aneurysm rupture, defined by contrast extravasation during the coiling procedure, in whom additional attempted coiling failed to stop the ongoing extravasation. Hospital records, neuroimaging studies, operative reports, and follow-up clinic notes were complete and reviewed in all cases. The follow-up review in surviving patients ranged from 1.5 to 9 years (average 3.8 years), and no patient was lost to the follow-up review.

Results:

In all cases, persistent extravasation necessitated urgent surgical decompression and securing of the ruptured aneurysm. Of these six cases, three patients achieved a good functional status after prolonged rehabilitation, and one of these had only subtle cognitive changes on formal neuropsychological testing. Two patients died.

Conclusion:

Intraprocedural rupture during aneurysm coiling is a dangerous and potentially fatal event. Despite the seemingly hopeless nature of this situation, in our experience, aggressive management to control intracranial pressure combined with a rapid reversal of anticoagulation and early surgical intervention can result in reasonable outcomes in some patients.

Rerupture of intracranial aneurysms during cerebral angiography

Three cases of re-rupture of intracranial aneurysms during cerebral angiography (RIADCA) between June and September, 2001 are reported. All cases underwent emergency craniotomy and aneurysm clipping. The subarachnoid blood and the extravasating contrast medium were removed intraoperatively as completely as possible. There was no mortality in this series. The incidence, timing, sex, age, inducing factors, risk factors, prevention measures and prognosis are discussed and reviewed in conjunction with the literature.

Ultra-early surgery for poor-grade intracranial aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a preliminary study

PURPOSE

To describe the therapeutic effect and possibility of the ultra-early surgery for poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (Hunt-Hess grades IV-V).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nine cases with intracranial aneurysms, demonstrated by computed tomographic angiography (CTA), were treated by ultra-early surgery under general anesthesia within 24 hours from subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), 5 cases were treated within 6 hours and 4 cases in 6 - 24 hours. Preoperative Hunt-Hess grade: 6 cases were IV and 3 cases were V. The clinical outcome was evaluated by Glasgow Outcome Scores (GOS).

RESULTS

In operation, difficult dissection occurred in 5 cases (55.6%), and rupture of aneurysm occurred and temporary obstructions were performed in 4 cases (44.4%). After clipping of aneurysm, 2 cases underwent V-P shunt because of hydrocephalus, pulmonary infection occurred in 3 cases, hypothalamus reaction accompanied with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage in 2 cases. The clinical outcome were favorable (GOS 4-5) in 4 cases (44.4%), dissatisfied (GOS 2-3) in 3 cases (33.3%), and dead (GOS 1) in 2 cases (22.2%) when patients departed from our hospital.

CONCLUSION

The ultra-early surgery can avoid early rebleeding of intracranial aneurysm, therefore, should be considered in the treatment of Hunt-Hess grade IV-V intracranial aneurysms. The appliance of CTA can make it possible to use of ultra-early surgery and improve the therapeutic effect.

Intra-arterial haemodynamic changes during cerebral three-dimensional rotational angiography

Three-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA) is useful for detecting, classifying and planning treatment for intracranial aneurysms. Prolonged contrast material (CM) injection, required for 3DRA, might cause blood pressure changes in the selectively catheterized artery. The purpose of this study was to assess the extent and clinical relevance of haemodynamic changes in the selected artery during 3DRA. Twenty-five consecutive patients with intracranial aneurysms were prospectively examined with 3DRA (18 ml, 3 ml/s power injector) for planning treatment. Intra-arterial pressure was measured in the internal carotid or vertebral artery by using a pressure guidewire. Mean and systolic blood pressure acquired by the guidewire (Pd) and fractional flow reserve (FFR) were measured before, during and after CM injection. The extent of Pd and FFR changes was evaluated by Student's t-test and linear regression analysis and their clinical relevance with the limits-of-agreement analysis. Mean systolic Pd and FFR increased significantly (P<0.001) from 105.2+/-22 mmHg and 0.98+/-0.04, respectively, at the baseline to 118.1+/-23 mmHg and 1.09+/-0.12, respectively, during injection and decreased thereafter to baseline. The correlation between mean and systolic Pd during injection and at baseline was moderate (r(2)=0.47 and 0.63, respectively) but remained significant (P=0.001 and <0.001, respectively). Moderate bias and range of agreement were found for systolic Pd (12.8+/-29.2 mmHg) and FFR (0.1+/-0.24). Selective CM injection during 3DRA causes a temporary but clinically tolerable increase in blood pressure and pressure gradient.

Rebleeding from ruptured intracranial aneurysms in North Eastern Province of Japan. A cooperative study

OBJECT

Rebleeding from ruptured intracranial aneurysms is a major cause of death and disability. With regard to the factors that precipitate the rebleeding and influence the time course after initial bleeding, previous reports differ in their results, and the number of patients investigated was not sufficient for valid conclusions. This study was thus designed to clarify the factors related to rebleeding from ruptured intracranial aneurysms in a large group of patients of the North Eastern Province of Japan.

METHODS

We found 181 patients with rebleeding after hospitalization among 5612 cases of ruptured intracranial aneurysms from January 1997 to December 2001 in 33 major hospitals in the North Eastern Province of Japan. We analyzed the data with respect to the time course after bleeding and rebleeding, the arterial blood pressure, the situation when rebleeding occurred, the methods of neuroimaging, the level of consciousness, the treatment and the outcome.

RESULTS

Of 181 patients who were hospitalized, rebleeding occurred in 65 (35.9%) within 3 h and 88 (48.6%) within 6 h after the initial subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The consciousness level before the rebleeding varied widely in distribution, but belonged to the drowsiness or less [Japan coma scale (JCS) single-digit] in 83 patients (45.8%), but after rebleeding, JCS triple-digits (semicoma to coma) included 152 patients (84.0%). Systolic arterial blood pressure prior to rebleeding was most commonly between 120 and 140 mmHg. Rebleeding did occur more frequently during angiography (totally 29 patients, 20%) and much less frequently during 3D-CTA and MRA procedures (a single case). Treatment consisted of aneurysm neck clipping in 72 patients (40.0%), endovascular therapy with coils in 4 patients (2.2%) and conservative ones in 103 patients (56.9%). As to outcome, 109 patients with rebleeding (60.2%) died in 3 months following initial SAH.

CONCLUSION

Rebleeding occurs more frequently in the earlier period after the initial SAH than previously believed. Thus, more aggressive pharmacologically induced systemic arterial hypotension appears to be important for preventing rebleeding but ultimate outcome of more aggressive hypotension is yet to be determined. If feasible, in order to avoid catheter-angiography related rebleeding, evaluations solely with 3D-CTA and MRA should be in consideration and earlier surgical intervention seems essential as rebleeding does occur often within the first 3 h of onset.

Severe intracranial bleedings during endovascular procedures: outcome of surgically treated patients

OBJECTIVE

Severe intracranial bleedings (SIBs) during endovascular procedures (EPs) are accompanied by acute intracranial hypertension and brain herniation signs. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of urgent surgical management and its related patient outcome in cases with such a fatal complication.

METHOD

Medical records were reviewed retrospectively for the last 750 patients treated in our department in the past 12 years with acute non-traumatic intracranial bleeding, who underwent a diagnostic or therapeutic EP. Patients with a severe intra-procedural bleeding episode undergoing urgent surgical management (within 30 minutes after bleeding) were analysed.

RESULTS

Fourteen of 750 patients with ruptured vascular malformations presented a new SIB during EP. In nine patients, this occurred during initial angiography, two during aneurysm coiling, two during balloon angioplasty and one during arteriovenous malformation (AVM) embolization. The neurological condition 6 months later was good (independents patients) in seven cases with only a mild disability in two of them. Two patients showed a severe disability. Four patients died without recovering their consciousness. One patient presented a satisfactorily course but died weeks later owing to a pulmonary embolism.

CONCLUSION

Despite the fatal spontaneous prognosis of severe intracranial bleeding occurring during endovascular diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, a favorable outcome can be expected if an appropriated treatment was set within 30 minutes of the bleeding.

Les ruptures anévrismales intracrâniennes per-embolisation

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to determinate the frequency, causes, management and outcome of aneurysmal rupture occurring during embolization. We present our experience with this severe and feared complication.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 314 acute cerebral aneurysms that were treated with endovascular coiling. These patients were identified and the management and outcomes were recorded. The literature was reviewed.

RESULTS

Six patients had an intraprocedural aneurysmal rupture. This complication occurred sporadically. Prevalence was 1.9%. Of these six, four were women and two were men. The mean age was 68 years (range: 43-74 years). Four aneurysms were located in the anterior circulation and two in the posterior circulation. Perforation occurred during microcatheterization of the aneurysm in one case and during coil deposition in five cases. In these five patients, aneurysmal rupture resulted from detachment of the first coil in three patients and detachment of the third and last coil in two patients. Hemodynamic changes were noted for one patient. The Glasgow Outcome Scale score at last follow-up examination was 1 in three patients and 3 in one patient (fair recovery). Mortality was 33% and morbidity was 16.7%.

CONCLUSION

Aneurysmal perforation during embolization is a rare event (1.8 to 4.4%). When perforation is recognized, embolization can be completed immediately with further coil deposition and reversal of anticoagulation therapy.

Rupture of an internal carotid artery aneurysm during angiography with leakage of contrast medium via an external ventricular drain

With a ruptured intracranial aneurysm producing subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) cerebral angiography is currently used for identification of the affected vessel. Aneurysm rerupturing is one of the more serious complications of cerebral angiography and has been frequently described. We report a 61-year-old man who presented with SAH who had rerupture of a large aneurysm of the internal carotid artery during angiography. A substantial amount of contrast medium escaped via a ventricular drain. The three main risk factors for rerupture of an aneurysm are: angiography performed within 6 h of the primary SAH, an aneurysm on the internal carotid artery and an unfavourable Glasgow coma score.

Ultra-early surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: outcomes for a consecutive series of 391 patients not selected by grade or age

OBJECT

This study was undertaken to determine the outcomes in an unselected group of patients treated with semiurgent surgical clipping of aneurysms following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

METHODS

A clinical management outcome audit was conducted to determine outcomes in a group of 391 consecutive patients who were treated with a consistent policy of ultra-early surgery (all patients treated within 24 hours after SAH and 85% of them within 12 hours). All neurological grades were included, with 45% of patients having poor grades (World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies [WFNS] Grades IV and V). Patients were not selected on the basis of age; their ages ranged between 15 and 93 years and 19% were older than 70 years. The series included aneurysms located in both anterior and posterior circulations. Eighty-eight percent of all patients underwent surgery and only 2.5% of the series were selectively withdrawn (by family request) from the prescribed surgical treatment. In patients with good grades (WFNS Grades I-III) the 3-month postoperative outcomes were independence (good outcome) in 84% of cases, dependence (poor outcome) in 8% of cases, and death in 9%. In patients with poor grades the outcomes were independence in 40% of cases, dependence in 15% of cases, and death in 45%. There was a 12% rate of rebleeding with all cases of rebleeding occurring within the first 12 hours after SAH; however, outcomes of independence were achieved in 46% of cases in which rebleeding occurred (43% mortality rate). Rebleeding was more common in patients with poor grades (20% experienced rebleeding, whereas only 5% of patients with good grades experienced rebleeding).

CONCLUSIONS

The major risk of rebleeding after SAH is present within the first 6 to 12 hours. This risk of ultra-early rebleeding is highest for patients with poor grades. Securing ruptured aneurysms by surgery or coil placement on an emergency basis for all patients with SAH has a strong rational argument.

Causes and management of aneurysmal hemorrhage occurring during embolization with Guglielmi detachable coils

OBJECT

The purpose of this review is to describe the incidence, causes, management, and outcome of aneurysmal hemorrhage that occurred in patients during endovascular treatment with the Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) system.

METHODS

At the authors' institution between September 1991 and August 1995, more than 200 patients were treated using GDCs for intracranial aneurysms. The first 200 patients treated in this fashion were reviewed and all who experienced new subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) during the procedure were identified. Angiographic studies were also reviewed and patients were contacted for longer-term follow up when possible. Four patients who experienced intraprocedural SAH were identified. The causes of hemorrhage were believed to be perforation of the aneurysm by the guidewire in one patient, perforation by the microcatheter in a second, and perforation by the delivery wire in a third. The fourth patient had a hemorrhage during injection of contrast material for control angiographic studies after placement of the final coil. One patient died, but the other three experienced no neurological symptoms or recovered without acquiring additional deficits. Overall a procedural hemorrhage rate of 2% was seen, with permanent morbidity and mortality rates of 0% and 0.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Although SAH during endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms remains a significant risk, its incidence is low and a majority of patients can survive without serious sequelae.

Intra-aneurysmal pressure changes during angiography in coil embolization

BACKGROUND

Although elevation of blood pressure in aneurysms induced by injection of contrast medium has been postulated as a major cause of rerupture of ruptured cerebral aneurysms during angiography, no study has proved the elevation of intra-aneurysmal pressure because of difficulty in measuring the intra-aneurysmal pressure during angiography. The present study demonstrated intra-aneurysmal pressure to be raised by injection of contrast medium, using a microcatheter introduced into aneurysms.

METHODS

To confirm the accuracy of pressure measurement through a microcatheter, we measured intra-aneurysmal pressure in a plastic model of an artery and an aneurysm during and after injection of contrast medium through a microcatheter and a needle inserted into the aneurysm. In a clinical study, intra-aneurysmal pressures were measured through the microcatheter in nine cerebral aneurysms of seven patients.

RESULTS

In the model experiment, changes in the pressure measured through the microcatheter correlated well with those observed through the needle. In the clinical study, intra-aneurysmal systolic pressures increased by 5-23 mm Hg immediately after injection of contrast medium for 1-3 s in four basilar tip, three internal carotid-ophthalmic, and one middle cerebral artery aneurysm, whereas no pressure change was observed in a posterior cerebral artery aneurysm. Systemic blood pressure during angiography remained unchanged in all cases.

CONCLUSIONS

This abruptly elevated intra-aneurysmal pressure by injection of contrast medium might cause rerupture of an aneurysm soon after rupture of the aneurysm, especially when the rupture site is fragile.

Ultra-early rebleeding in spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage

To determine the incidence of, and risk factors for, the occurrence of rebleeding between admission and early operation (ultra-early rebleeding) in patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), the authors reviewed the cases of 179 patients admitted within 24 hours after their last attack of SAH. Thirty-one (17.3%) of these patients had ultra-early rebleeding despite scheduling of early operation (within 24 hours after admission). The incidence of rebleeding significantly decreased as the time interval between the last attack and admission increased. Patients with rebleeding before admission, high systolic blood pressure, intracerebral or intraventricular hematoma, those in poor neurological condition on admission, and those who underwent angiography within 6 hours of the last SAH were significantly more likely to have ultra-early rebleeding than those without these factors. The incidence of rebleeding also significantly increased as levels of enhancement of platelet sensitivity and thrombin-antithrombin complex increased. Multivariate analysis revealed that the following three factors were independently associated with ultra-early rebleeding: the level of enhancement of platelet sensitivity; the time interval between the last attack and admission; and the level of thrombin-antithrombin complex. On the basis of these findings, the authors suggest that many of the risk factors for ultra-early rebleeding are interrelated. A particularly high risk of ultra-early rebleeding was observed in those patients 1) who had platelet hypoaggregability; 2) who were admitted shortly after their last SAH; and 3) whose thrombin-antithrombin complex levels were extremely high and were thus in severe clinical condition.