Comparison of blood velocity measurements between ultrasound Doppler and accelerated phase-contrast MR angiography in small arteries with disturbed flow.

Ultrasound Doppler (UD) velocity measurements are commonly used to quantify blood flow velocities in vivo. The aim of our work was to investigate the accuracy of in vivo spectral Doppler measurements of velocity waveforms. Waveforms were derived from spectral Doppler signals and corrected for intrinsic spectral broadening errors by applying a previously published algorithm. The method was tested in a canine aneurysm model by determining velocities in small arteries (3-4 mm diameter) near the aneurysm where there was moderately disturbed flow. Doppler results were compared to velocity measurements in the same arteries acquired with a rapid volumetric phase contrast MR angiography technique named phase contrast vastly undersampled isotropic projection reconstruction magnetic resonance angiography (PC-VIPR MRA). After correcting for intrinsic spectral broadening, there was a high degree of correlation between velocities obtained by the real-time UD and the accelerated PC-MRA technique. The peak systolic velocity yielded a linear correlation coefficient of r = 0.83, end diastolic velocity resulted in r = 0.81, and temporally averaged mean velocity resulted in r = 0.76. The overall velocity waveforms obtained by the two techniques were also highly correlated (r = 0.89 ± 0.06). There were, however, only weak correlations for the pulsatility index (PI: 0.25) and resistive index (RI: 0.14) derived from the two techniques. Results demonstrate that to avoid overestimations of peak systolic velocities, the results for UD must be carefully corrected to compensate for errors caused by intrinsic spectral broadening.

Angiographic and histological comparison of canine bifurcation aneurysms treated with first generation matrix and standard GDC coils.

INTRODUCTION: It is claimed that bioactive coils induce accelerated and more durable aneurysm healing. Data supporting this claim are quite limited. Our purpose was to compare the angiographic and histological results obtained following treatment with different coil types. METHODS: Bifurcation type aneurysms were surgically created in 24 dogs and treated using standard clinical techniques. Eight were treated with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDC), eight with first-generation Matrix coils, and eight with a combination of GDC and Matrix coils. The aneurysms were explanted and final angiographic evaluations performed 12 weeks after treatment. Angiographic and histological outcomes were documented. RESULTS: Increased coil compaction with aneurysm recurrence was found in aneurysms treated with first-generation Matrix coils as compared to standard GDC (P = 0.0001). In aneurysms treated with first-generation Matrix coils thrombus organization was better than in those treated with either standard GDC coils (P = 0.008) or with a combination of GDC and Matrix coils (P = 0.04). In aneurysms treated with first-generation Matrix coils there were no endothelialized vascular clefts within the coil mass, but they were seen in the majority of aneurysms treated with GDC or a combination of GDC and Matrix coils (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Aneurysms treated with first-generation Matrix coils showed the greatest degree of coil compaction and aneurysm recurrence on the final angiographic evaluation. Aneurysms treated with first-generation Matrix coils showed enhanced thrombus organization and absence of vascular clefts at the aneurysm neck that were markedly different from those treated with bare platinum coils or a combination of GDC and Matrix coils.

Comparison of platinum and first-generation Matrix coils in under-packed canine side-wall aneurysms: evaluation of progressive thrombosis.

INTRODUCTION: There is much speculation in reference to the occurrence and mechanisms of progressive aneurysm occlusion after treatment with bioactive coils. However, to our knowledge, there are no studies documenting the impact on progressive occlusion in aneurysms that are intentionally under-packed. METHODS: A total of 24 experimental side-wall aneurysms were created in canine common carotid arteries. Of these 24, 9 were treated with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDC) and 15 with first-generation Matrix (Matrix1) coils to packing densities of 22% or less. Angiograms were obtained immediately after treatment and again at the time of explant at 2 weeks, 8 weeks, or 12 weeks, and were graded utilizing the Raymond scale. At the time of the final angiography and explant all aneurysms were histologically processed and evaluated. RESULTS: At the conclusion of initial coiling, near or complete occlusion was achieved in 7 of the 15 aneurysms (47%) treated with Matrix1 coils and in 2 of the 9 (22%) treated with GDC. Of the aneurysms that were incompletely occluded, six of eight (75%) treated with Matrix1 coils and two of seven (29%) treated with GDC showed progressive thrombosis at explant. Histopathological analysis demonstrated that the aneurysms treated with Matrix1 coils had increased fibrocellular tissue and inflammation, with less histological recanalization or vascular spaces, relative to those treated with GDC. CONCLUSION: Experimental wide-necked side-wall canine aneurysms suboptimally treated with first-generation Matrix1 coils had a higher incidence of progressive occlusion and on histological analysis showed evidence of more advanced thrombus organization than did those treated with GDC.