Pipeline Embolization Device With Adjunctive Coils for the Treatment of Unruptured Large or Giant Vertebrobasilar Aneurysms: A Single-Center Experience

Treatment of intracranial aneurysms with pipeline embolization device: a single-center experience

Background

Endovascular therapy is the primary treatment modality for intracranial aneurysms (IA). The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of a pipeline embolization device (PED) for the treatment of IA.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted at a single center. Data were collected for all patients who underwent PED treatment at the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between December 2018 and January 2022. Clinical characteristics, aneurysm-related characteristics, treatment details, and clinical and imaging outcomes were collected and analyzed.

Results

A total of 60 consecutive patients with 60 IAs were treated with a PED. The mean age of the participants was 61.8 years, with 53% being female. The average size of the aneurysms was 14.7 mm, with 54 located in the anterior circulation and six in the posterior circulation. The median last follow-up time was 13.0 months (range, 11-24 months). All patients underwent final digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for angiographic follow-up, and 50 aneurysms (83.3%) were completely occluded. The overall complication rate was 3.3%, and there were no reported mortalities. Among the 12 cases of ruptured aneurysms, all of which underwent adjunctive coil embolization, the complete occlusion rate was 91.7% with a complication rate of 16.6% [ischemic complication and modified Rankin scale (mRS) deteriorated]. In the 6 cases of posterior circulation aneurysms (2 in the basilar artery), 5 cases achieved complete occlusion and 1 case achieved near-complete occlusion, with no reported complications or mortality.

Conclusions

The use of PEDs appears to be an effective treatment option for IA, demonstrating high occlusion rates and low complication rates. While the application of PEDs for the treatment of ruptured aneurysms did not increase the risk of secondary aneurysm rupture, caution is still warranted due to a higher complication rate. In the treatment of aneurysms of the vertebrobasilar artery using PEDs, this study achieved favorable efficacy outcomes without complications nor patient mortality. However, further studies are needed to validate these findings.

Safety and efficacy of the pipeline embolization device for treatment of small vs. large aneurysms: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Flow diversion with the pipeline embolization device (PED) is increasingly used to treat intracranial aneurysms with high obliteration rates and low morbidity. However, long-term (≥ 1 year) angiographic and clinical outcomes still require further investigation. The aim of this study was to compare the occlusion and complication rates for small (< 10 mm) versus large (10-25 mm) aneurysms at long-term following treatment with PED. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. We conducted a comprehensive search of English language databases including Ovid MEDLINE and Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process, and Daily, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus. Our studies included a minimum of 10 patients treated with PED for small vs. large aneurysms and with at least 12 months of follow-up. The primary safety endpoint was the rate of clinical complications measured by the occurrence of symptomatic stroke (confirmed clinically and radiographically), intracranial hemorrhage, or aneurysmal rupture. The primary efficacy endpoint was the complete aneurysm occlusion rate. Our analysis included 19 studies with 1277 patients and 1493 aneurysms. Of those, 1378 aneurysms met our inclusion criteria. The mean age was 53.9 years, and most aneurysms were small (89.75%; N = 1340) in women (79.1%; N = 1010). The long-term occlusion rate was 73% (95%, CI 65 to 80%) in small compared to 84% (95%, CI 76 to 90%) in large aneurysms (p < 0.01). The symptomatic thromboembolic complication rate was 5% (95%, CI 3 to 9%) in small compared to 7% (95%, CI 4 to 13%) in large aneurysms (p = 0.01). The rupture rate was 2% vs. 4% (p = 0.92), and the rate of intracranial hemorrhage was 2% vs. 4% (p = 0.96) for small vs. large aneurysms, respectively; however, these differences were not statistically significant. The long-term occlusion rate after PED treatment is higher in large vs. small aneurysms. Symptomatic thromboembolic rates with stroke are also higher in large vs. small aneurysms. The difference in the rates of aneurysm rupture and intracranial hemorrhage was insignificant. Although the PED seems a safe and effective treatment for small and large aneurysms, further studies are required to clarify how occlusion rate and morbidity are affected by aneurysm size.

Endovascular treatment of aneurysms of the paraophthalmic segment of the internal carotid artery: Current status

The paraophthalmic segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) originates from the distal border of the cavernous ICA and terminates at the posterior communicating artery. Aneurysms arising from the paraophthalmic segment represent ~5–10% of intradural aneurysms. Due to the advent of endovascular treatment (EVT) techniques, specifically flow-diverting stents (FDSs), EVT has become a good option for these aneurysms. A literature review on EVT for paraophthalmic segment aneurysms is necessary. In this review, we discuss the anatomy of the paraophthalmic segment, classification of the paraophthalmic segment aneurysms, EVT principle and techniques, and prognosis and complications. EVT techniques for paraophthalmic segment aneurysms include coil embolization, FDSs, covered stents, and Woven EndoBridge devices. Currently, coiling embolization remains the best choice for ruptured paraophthalmic segment aneurysms, especially to avoid long-term antiplatelet therapy for young patients. Due to the excessive use of antiplatelet therapy, unruptured paraophthalmic segment aneurysms that are easy to coil should not be treated with FDS. FDS is appropriate for uncoilable or failed aneurysms. Other devices cannot act as the primary choice but can be useful auxiliary tools. Both coiling embolization and FDS deployment can result in a good prognosis for paraophthalmic segment aneurysms. The overall complication rate is low. Therefore, EVT offers promising treatments for paraophthalmic segment aneurysms. In addition, surgical clipping continues to be a good choice for paraophthalmic segment aneurysms in the endovascular era.

Predictors of flow diverter stent in large and giant unruptured intracranial aneurysms, single-center experience

Background

Flow diversion with or without coiling has been established as the treatment of choice for large unruptured aneurysms. This study aims to assess possible predictors for radiological and clinical outcome such as location of the aneurysm (anterior or posterior circulation), complexity by a branching artery, bifurcation, and adjuvant coiling.

Methods

This study was conducted on 65 consecutive patients with 65 large, unruptured intracranial aneurysms (size ≥ 10 mm) treated with flow diverters. Follow-up angiography was done for 60 patients (92.3%) at 12 ± 8.6 months range from 3 to 36 months.

Results

Complete occlusion was achieved in 50 from 60 aneurysms (83.4%), while 8 aneurysms (13.3%) had neck remnant, and another two aneurysms (3.3%) remained with aneurysmal remnant. Periprocedural complications were encountered in 14 patients (21.5%) with morbidity in six patients (9.2%) and mortality in one patient (1.5%). In a multivariate logistic regression, anterior versus posterior location was less likely associated with worse outcome; adjusted OR (95% CI) of 0.16 (0.07–0.01), p = 0.006. Complete occlusion in complex aneurysms with branching artery was 60% versus 88% in simple aneurysms without branching artery (p-value = 0.04).

Conclusions

Flow diverter deployment of a large, unruptured aneurysm in the anterior circulation might have a better outcome than one in the posterior circulation. Flow diverter of aneurysms with branching artery or at bifurcation might be associated with aneurysm persistence and complications respectively.

Prospects and Dilemmas of Endovascular Treatment for Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia

Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is characterized by significant expansion, elongation, and tortuosity of the basilar artery and vertebral artery. Certain highly selected cases of VBD can require intervention. Recent advances in endovascular treatment (EVT) have renewed hope for patients with VBD. However, which cases of VBD can benefit from EVT still needs to be determined. Currently, little is known regarding this matter. Therefore, we performed a review of the literature from a PubMed search and cataloged our experience regarding the classification and natural history of VBD and the prospects, prognosis and complications of EVT. The findings can be summarized as follows: for asymptomatic VBD, “wait and see” or medical management may be a reasonable strategy. EVT may only be effective in certain patients. For saccular aneurysms in VBD, especially ruptured aneurysms, EVT is reasonable. For fusiform aneurysms in VBD, EVT can carry high complication rates and should be recommended with caution. For stenting reconstruction in VBD, the effect is uncertain. For the future of EVT of VBD, randomized controlled trials and the development of neurointerventional products are worth pursuing, but EVT in VBD still has a long way to go.

Anterior Circulation Fusiform Aneurysms Have a Lower Occlusion Rate After Pipeline Embolization Device Treatment Than Posterior Circulation Fusiform Aneurysms: A Multicenter Cohort Study

Objective:

Intracranial fusiform aneurysms are uncommon and can occur in vessels of the anterior circulation (AC) or posterior circulation (PC). While flow diversion is one treatment option, research into Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) treatment is lacking. This study explored the efficacy and safety of PED treatment for intracranial fusiform aneurysms, and compared therapeutic effects between AC and PC aneurysms.

Methods

In the post-market multi-center cohort study of embolization of intracranial aneurysms with PED in China (PLUS) registry study, we retrospectively analyzed 71 fusiform aneurysms in 67 patients among 1,171 patients treated with a PED from November 2014 to October 2019. The general characteristics, perioperative status, aneurysm occlusion rate at the last follow-up angiography, and changes in modified Rankin Scale scores were analyzed. Aneurysms were divided into AC and PC groups, and univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted.

Results

The study included 26 AC (25 patients) and 45 PC (42 patients) aneurysms. A total of 75 PEDs were used, an average of 1.1 PEDs were used, and the median follow-up was 6.7 months. Fifty aneurysms (71.4%) were occluded and twenty (28.5%) were incompletely occluded. There were significantly more occluded aneurysms in the PC group than in the AC group (12 vs. 38; P = 0.001). Risk factors for incomplete occlusion were AC aneurysms (P = 0.001) and a perforating artery originating from the aneurysm (P = 0.006). The mean modified Rankin Scale score was significantly lower at the last follow up than preoperatively (0.58 vs. 0.21; P = 0.0001).

Conclusion

Non-overlapping PED is a safe and effective treatment for both AC and PC fusiform aneurysms. The occlusion rate of AC fusiform aneurysms is lower than that of PC.

Endovascular Treatment of Large or Giant Basilar Artery Aneurysms Using the Pipeline Embolization Device: Complications and Outcomes

Background

This study aimed to investigate clinical and angiographic outcomes of Pipeline embolization device (PED) treatment of large or giant basilar artery (BA) aneurysms and examine associated factors.

Methods

Clinical and angiographic data of 29 patients (18 men, 11 women) with large or giant BA aneurysms were retrospectively examined. Mean age was 44.1 ± 21.2 years (range, 30–68). Mean aneurysm size was 22.2 ± 8.3 mm (range, 12.0–40.1).

Results

Mean angiographic follow-up was 18.3 ± 3.4 months (range, 4.5–60). The rate of adequate aneurysmal occlusion (O'Kelly–Marotta grade C–D) was 87%. The overall complication rate was 44.8%; most complications (84.6%) occurred in the periprocedural period. Univariable comparison of patients who did and did not develop complications showed significant differences in aneurysm size (p < 0.01), intra-aneurysmal thrombus (p = 0.03), and mean number of PEDs used (p = 0.02). Aneurysm size (odds ratio, 1.4; p = 0.04) was an independent risk factor for periprocedural complications in multivariable analysis. Mean clinical follow-up was 23.5 ± 3.2 months (range, 0.1–65). Nine patients (31%) had a poor clinical outcome (modified Rankin scale score ≥3) at last follow-up, including 7 patients who died. Univariable comparisons between patients with favorable and unfavorable clinical outcomes showed that aneurysm size (p = 0.009) and intra-aneurysmal thrombus (p = 0.04) significantly differed between the groups. Multivariable analysis showed that aneurysm size (odds ratio, 1.1; p = 0.04) was an independent risk factor for poor clinical outcome.

Conclusion

PED treatment of large or giant BA aneurysms is effective and can achieve a satisfactory long-term occlusion rate. However, the treatment complications are not negligible. Aneurysm size is the strongest predictor of perioperative complications and poor clinical outcome.