Tag: Flow diverter

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Visual Morbidity in Patients With Ophthalmic Segment Aneurysms Treated With Flow Diverters

Neurosurgery 94:538–544, 2024

Flow diverter (FD) treatment for aneurysms of the ophthalmic segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) may raise concerns about visual morbidity related to coverage of the ophthalmic artery by the device. Our objective was to evaluate clinical and angiographic outcomes associated with FD treatment of these aneurysms, with particular emphasis on visual morbidity.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the endovascular databases at 2 US centers to identify consecutive patients with aneurysms along the ophthalmic segment of the ICA that were treated with FDs between January 2010 and December 2022. Baseline demographics, aneurysm characteristics, and periprocedural and postprocedural data, including the occurrence of visual complications, were collected.

RESULTS: One hundred and thirteen patients with 113 aneurysms were identified for inclusion in this study. The mean age of the patients was 59.5 ± 12.4 years, and 103 (91.2%) were women. The ophthalmic artery origin was involved in 40 (35.4%) aneurysms, consisting of a neck origin in 33 (29.2%) and a dome origin in 7 (6.2%). New transient visual morbidity during the hospital stay included impaired visual acuity or blurriness in 1 (0.9%) patient, diplopia in 1 (0.9%), and floaters in 1 (0.9%). New transient visual morbidity during follow-up included impaired visual acuity or blurriness in 5 patients (4.4%), diplopia in 3 (2.7%), ipsilateral visual field defect in 1 (0.9%), and floaters in 6 (5.3%). Permanent visual morbidity occurred in 1 patient (0.9%). Among the 101 patients who had angiographic follow-up, the Raymond-Roy occlusion classifications were I (complete aneurysm occlusion) in 85 (84.2%), II (residual neck) in 11 (10.9%), and III (residual aneurysm) in 5 (4.9%).

CONCLUSION: In our experience, flow diversion for ICA ophthalmic segment aneurysms resulted in low rates of visual morbidity, which was mostly transient in occurrence.

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Comparing Retreatments and Expenditures in Flow Diversion Versus Coiling for Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysm Treatment

Neurosurgery 87:63–70, 2020

Flow diverters (FDs) have marked the beginning of innovations in the endovascular treatment of large unruptured intracranial aneurysms, but no multiinstitutional studies have been conducted on these devices from both the clinical and economic perspectives.

OBJECTIVE: To compare retreatment rates and healthcare expenditures between FDs and conventional coiling-based treatments in all eligible cases in Japan.

METHODS: We identified patients who had undergone endovascular treatments during the study period (October 2015-March 2018) from a national-level claims database. The outcome measures were retreatment rates and 1-yr total healthcare expenditures, which were compared among patientswho had undergone FD, coiling, and stent-assisted coiling (SAC) treatments. The coiling and SAC groups were further categorized according to the number of coils used. Retreatment rates were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models, and total expenditures were analyzed using multilevel mixed-effects generalized linear models.

RESULTS: The study sample comprised 512 FD patients, 1499 coiling patients, and 711 SAC patients. The coiling groups with ≥10 coils and ≥9 coils had significantly higher retreatment rates than the FD group with hazard ratios of 2.75 (1.30-5.82) and 2.52 (1.24-5.09), respectively. In addition, the coiling group with≥10 coils and SAC group with≥10 coils had significantly higher 1-year expenditures than the FD group with cost ratios (95% CI) of 1.30 (1.13-1.49) and 1.31 (1.15-1.50), respectively.

CONCLUSION: In this national-level study, FDs demonstrated significantly lower retreatment rates and total expenditures than conventional coiling with ≥ 9 coils.

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Occlusion Rate and Visual ComplicationsWith Flow-Diverter Stent Placed Across the Ophthalmic Artery’s Origin for Carotid-Ophthalmic Aneurysms: A Meta-Analysis

Neurosurgery 86:455–463, 2020

Flow-diverter stents (FDSs) have recently gained acceptance for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms, especially for carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms (COAs). However, complications have been reported after coverage of side branches, especially the ophthalmic artery (OA).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, through a meta-analysis, the occlusion rate, and the ophthalmic complications after treatment of COA by FDS.

METHODS:We reviewed on MEDLINE via PubMed, Embase via Ovid, and Cochrane central database via CENTRAL.We included all case serieswith at least 15 patients and clinical trials about flow diversion of aneurysms close to the OA’s origin. Among these studies, we only included articles with aneurysm occlusion rate and rate of new ophthalmic symptoms.

RESULTS: We included 16 studies with 913 COA treated by FDSs and covering the OA with a mean follow-up of 16.4 mo. The random-effect modeling analysis concerning the overall rate of new ophthalmic complications, after FDS deployment covering the OA, was 3.0% (CI95% 1.0-6.0). There was medium-high heterogeneity in the study reports P < .01, I2 = 70.2% [50.4%; 82.1%]. We were not able to statistically explain this heterogeneity with the performed analysis, which could be related to the design of the included studies. We found an overall aneurysm occlusion rate of 85.0% (95% CI 80.0-89.0).

CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis found a high aneurysm occlusion rate (85%) and low rate of iatrogenic visual complications, with only 3.0% of new visual symptoms, after treatment of COA by FDS.

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Flow diversion treatment of complex bifurcation aneurysms beyond the circle of Willis: complications, aneurysm sac occlusion, reabsorption, recurrence, and jailed branch modification at follow-up

J Neurosurg 131:1751–1762, 2019

The purpose of this study is to present the authors’ medium-term results, with special emphasis on complications, occlusion rate of the aneurysm sac (digital subtraction angiography [DSA] and MRI), and the fate of cortical branches and perforating arteries covered (“jailed”) by the flow diverter (FD) stent.

METHODS Between January 2010 and September 2017, 29 patients (14 female) with 30 aneurysms were treated with an FD stent. Twenty-one aneurysms were at the middle cerebral artery bifurcation, 8 were in the anterior communicating artery region, and 1 was a pericallosal artery bifurcation. Thirty-five cortical branches were covered. A single FD stent was used in all patients. Symptomatic and asymptomatic periprocedural and delayed complications were reported. DSA and MRI controls were analyzed to evaluate modification of the aneurysm sac and jailed branches.

RESULTS Permanent morbidity was 3.4% (1/29), due to a jailed branch occlusion, with a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 2 at the last follow-up. Mortality and permanent complication with poor prognosis (mRS score > 2) rates were 0%. The mean follow-up time for DSA and MRI (mean ± SD) was 21 ± 14.5 months (range 3–66 months) and 19 ± 16 months (range 3–41 months), respectively. The mean time to aneurysm sac occlusion (available for 24 patients), including stable remodeling, was 11.8 ± 6 months (median 13, range 3–27 months). The overall occlusion rate was 82.1% (23/28), and it was 91.7% (22/24) in the group of patients with at least 2 DSA control sequences. One recanalization occurred at 41 months posttreatment. At the time of publication, at the latest follow-up, 7 (20%) of 35 covered branches were occluded, 18 (51.4%) showed a decreased caliber, and the remaining 10 (28.5%) were unchanged. MRI T2-weighted sequences showed complete sac reabsorption in 7/29 aneurysms (24.1%), and the remaining lesions were either smaller (55.2%) or unchanged (17.2%). MRI revealed asymptomatic and symptomatic ischemic events in perforator territories in 7/28 (25%) and 4/28 (14.3%) patients, respectively, which were reversible within 24 hours.

CONCLUSIONS Flow diversion of bifurcation aneurysms is feasible, with low rates of permanent morbidity and mortality and high occlusion rates; however, recurrence may occur. Caliber reduction and asymptomatic occlusion of covered cortical branches as well as silent perforator stroke are common. Ischemic complications may occur with no identified predictable factors. MRI controls should be required in all patients to evaluate silent ischemic lesions and aneurysm sac reabsorption over time.

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Cerebral Revascularization for Aneurysms in the Flow-Diverter Era

Neurosurgery 80:759–768, 2017

Cerebral bypass has been an important tool in the treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms. The recent advent of flow-diverting stents (FDS) has expanded the capacity for endovascular arterial reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated how the advent of FDS has impacted the application and outcomes of cerebral bypass in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

METHODS: We reviewed a consecutive series of cerebral bypasses during aneurysm surgery over the course of 10 years. FDS were in active use during the last 5 years of this series. We compared the clinical characteristics, surgical technique, and outcomes of patients who required cerebral bypass for aneurysm treatment during the preflow diversion era (PreFD) with those of the postflow diversion era (PostFD).

RESULTS: We treated 1061 aneurysms in the PreFD era (from July 2005 through June 2010) and 1348 in the PostFD era (from July 2010 through June 2015). Eighty-five PreFD patients (8%) and 45 PostFD patients (3%) were treated with cerebral bypass. PreFD patients had better baseline functional status compared to PostFD patients with average preoperative modified Rankin Scale score of 0.55 in PreFDand 1.18 in PostFD.

CONCLUSION: After the introduction of FDS, cerebral bypass was performed in a lower proportion of patients with aneurysms. Patients selected for bypass in the flow-diverter era had worse preoperative modified Rankin Scale scores indicating a greater complexity of the patients. Cerebral bypass in well-selected patients and revascularization remains an important technique in vascular neurosurgery. It is also useful as a rescue technique after failed FDS treatment of aneurysms.

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Incidence and Clinical Implications of Carotid Branch Occlusion Following Treatment of Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysms With the Pipeline Embolization Device

Incidence and Clinical Implications of Carotid Branch Occlusion Following Treatment of Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysms With the Pipeline Embolization Device

Neurosurgery 76:173–178, 2015

The use of flow diverters such as the pipeline embolization device (PED) for treatment of intracranial aneurysms carries the risk of side branch occlusion.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and clinical outcomes associated with supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) branch occlusion after deployment of PEDs for ICA aneurysms.

METHODS: We reviewed patients who underwent endovascular treatment with PEDs for ICA aneurysms between June 2011 and March 2013. Forty-nine patients (43 women, mean age 56.36 1.8 years, 68 aneurysms) in whom PEDs traversed the origin of supraclinoid ICA branches (ophthalmic [OA], posterior communicating [PcommA], and anterior choroidal artery [AChA]) were selected for this study. Follow-up angiograms (mean follow-up, 12.8 6 0.8 months) were studied to determine the location of PEDs and the patency of ICA branches.

RESULTS: PEDs were placed across the ostia of 49 OAs, 14 PcommAs, and 11 AChAs. Multiple PEDs were deployed in 16 patients. Rate of branch occlusion was 4% (2/49) for the OA, 7.1% (1/14) for the PcommA, and 0% for the AChA. Patients with branch occlusion did not endure new neurological deficits. ICA branch occlusion was not associated with the number of PEDs covering the ostia (P = .76) or the origin of ICA branches from the aneurysm (P = .24).

CONCLUSION: The incidence of major supraclinoid ICA branch occlusion after treatment with PEDs was low. These events were not associated with new neurological deficits nor were they related to the number of PEDs deployed or the origin of ICA branches from the aneurysm.

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Increasing Flow Diversion for Cerebral Aneurysm Treatment Using a Single Flow Diverter

Increasing Flow Diversion for Cerebral Aneurysm Treatment Using a Single Flow Diverter

Neurosurgery 75:286–294, 2014

A neurovascular flow diverter (FD), aiming at inducing embolic occlusion of cerebral aneurysms through hemodynamic changes, can produce variable mesh densities owing to its flexible mesh structure.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether the hemodynamic outcome would differ by increasing FD local compaction across the aneurysm orifice.

METHODS: We investigated deployment of a single FD using 2 clinical strategies: no compaction (the standard method) and maximum compaction across the aneurysm orifice (an emerging strategy). Using an advanced modeling technique, we simulated these strategies applied to a patient-specific wide-necked aneurysm model, resulting in a relatively uniform mesh with no compaction (C1) and maximum compaction (C2) at the aneurysm orifice. Pre- and posttreatment aneurysmal hemodynamics were analyzed using pulsatile computational fluid dynamics. Flow-stasis parameters and blood shear stress were calculated to assess the potential for aneurysm embolic occlusion.

RESULTS: Flow streamlines, isovelocity, and wall shear stress distributions demonstrated enhanced aneurysmal flow reduction with C2. The average intra-aneurysmal flow velocity was 29% of pretreatment with C2 compared with 67% with C1. Aneurysmal flow turnover time was 237% and 134% of pretreatment for C2 and C1, respectively. Vortex core lines and oscillatory shear index distributions indicated that C2 decreased the aneurysmal flow complexity more than C1. Ultrahigh blood shear stress was observed near FD struts in inflow region for both C1 and C2.

CONCLUSION: The emerging strategy of maximum FD compaction can double aneurysmal flow reduction, thereby accelerating aneurysm occlusion. Moreover, ultrahigh blood shear stress was observed through FD pores, which could potentially activate platelets as an additional aneurysmal thrombosis mechanism.

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High-Resolution Angioscopic Imaging During Endovascular Neurosurgery

High-Resolution Angioscopic Imaging During Endovascular Neurosurgery

Neurosurgery 75:171–180, 2014

Endoluminal optical imaging, or angioscopy, has not seen widespread application during neurointerventional procedures, largely as a result of the poor imaging resolution of existing angioscopes. Scanning fiber endoscopes (SFEs) are a novel endoscopic platform that allows high-resolution video imaging in an ultraminiature form factor that is compatible with currently used distal access endoluminal catheters.

OBJECTIVE: To test the feasibility and potential utility of high-resolution angioscopy with an SFE during common endovascular neurosurgical procedures.

METHODS: A 3.7-French SFE was used in a porcine model system to image endothelial disruption, ischemic stroke and mechanical thrombectomy, aneurysm coiling, and flowdiverting stent placement.

RESULTS: High-resolution, video-rate imaging was shown to be possible during all of the common procedures tested and provided information that was complementary to standard fluoroscopic imaging. SFE angioscopy was able to assess novel factors such as aneurysm base coverage fraction and side branch patency, which have previously not been possible to determine with conventional angiography.

CONCLUSION: Endovascular imaging with an SFE provides important information on factors that cannot be assessed fluoroscopically and is a novel platform on which future neurointerventional techniques may be based because it allows for periprocedural inspection of the integrity of the vascular system and the deployed devices. In addition, it may be of diagnostic use for inspecting the vascular wall and postprocedure device evaluation.

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Flow-Diverter Devices for Intracranial Aneurysms

Flow-Diverter Devices for Intracranial Aneurysms

Neurosurgery 73:193–200, 2013

Although the introduction of flow-diverter devices (FDDs) has aroused great enthusiasm, the level of evidence supporting their use has not been systematically evaluated.

OBJECTIVE: To report a systematic review of medical literature up to May 2012 on FDDs to assess the morbidity, case fatality rate, and efficacy of FDDs for intracranial aneurysms.

METHODS: The literature was searched by using MEDLINE, Embase, and all Evidence- Based Medicine in the OVID database. Eligibility criteria were studies including at least 10 patients, reporting duration of follow-up and number of patients lost to follow-up, and documenting the rate of aneurysm occlusion and death and neurological complications. The endpoints were angiographic success, early and late mortality, and neurological morbidity.

RESULTS: Fifteen studies were analyzed consisting of 897 patients with 1018 aneurysms. The mean value of methodological quality score was 14.4 using the STROBE score. The early mortality rate was 2.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7-3.8; I2 = 93.4%) and the late mortality rate was 1.3% (95% CI: 0.2-2.3; I2 = 36.9%). The early neurological morbidity rate was 7.3% (95% CI: 5.7-9; I2 = 91.8%) and the late morbidity rate was 2.6% (95% CI: 1.1-4; I2 = 81.3%). The Egger test for early and late morbidity and aneurysm occlusion was ,0.001.

CONCLUSION: With the available data from the studies, both heterogeneity and publication biases imply that the current clinical use of FDDs is not supported by highquality evidence. In the absence of reliable evidence, the use of FDDs in patients eligible for more conventional treatments should be restricted to controlled clinical trials.

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