Spontaneous delayed migration or shortening after pipeline embolization device treatment of intracranial aneurysm: incidence, management, and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Studies reporting spontaneous delayed migration or shortening (SDMS) after treatment with the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of SDMS after PED treatment, propose management strategies, and identify the risk factors contributing to its occurrence. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with an intracranial aneurysm (IA) treated with PEDs at three institutions. SDMS was classified as type I or II based on whether the PED covered the aneurysm neck. RESULTS: The total cohort comprised 790 patients. SDMS was identified in 24 (3.04%) patients. Eighteen of the 24 patients had type I SDMS and did not require retreatment, while the remaining six patients had type II SDMS and all received retreatment. Multivariate logistic regression showed that the difference between the proximal and distal parent artery diameters (DPAD) (adjusted OR 2.977; 95% CI 1.054 to 8.405; P=0.039) and device tortuosity index (DTI) (adjusted OR 8.059; 95% CI 2.867 to 23.428; P<0.001) were independent predictors of SDMS after PED treatment, while the difference in length (DL) (adjusted OR 0.841; 95% CI 0.738 to 0.958; P=0.009) and PED plus coiling (adjusted OR 0.288; 95% CI 0.106 to 0.785; P=0.015) were protective factors. CONCLUSION: The incidence of SDMS after PED treatment of IA was 3.04%. For patients with type I SDMS with incomplete aneurysm occlusion we recommend continuous imaging follow-up while, for patients with type II SDMS, we recommend aggressive retreatment. The DPAD and DTI were independent risk predictors of SDMS after PED treatment, while the DL and PED plus coiling were protective factors.

Effects of calcium channel blockers on perioperative ischemic events in hypertensive patients with intracranial aneurysms undergoing neurointervention.

BACKGROUND: Although calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are useful in stroke prevention, their specific role in preventing stroke in hypertensive patients with intracranial aneurysms undergoing endovascular stent placement remains unclear. METHODS: We retrospectively examined 458 hypertensive patients with intracranial aneurysms who underwent stent treatment, drawn from a larger multicenter cohort comprising 1326 patients across eight centers. Patients were dichotomized into two groups according to use of a CCB. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance group differences in patient and aneurysm characteristics. We conducted a comparison of patient and aneurysm characteristics, ischemic complications, and clinical outcomes between the two groups. RESULTS: The CCB and non-CCB groups comprised 279 and 179 patients, respectively. PSM resulted in 165 matched pairs. After PSM, the incidence of ischemic events within 1 month of the procedure (4.2% vs 10.9%; P=0.022) and proportion of patients with modified Rankin Scale score >2 at last follow-up (1.5% vs 7.8%; P=0.013) were significantly lower in the CCB group. Among patients treated with combination therapy, inclusion of a CCB was associated with a lower incidence of ischemic events (1.5% vs 13.3%; P=0.345), but the difference was not statistically significant after correction. CONCLUSIONS: CCB use in hypertensive patients undergoing endovascular stenting for treatment of intracranial aneurysms is associated with a lower incidence of ischemic events and a lower incidence of unfavorable neurological outcomes, especially when used in combination therapy.

Pipeline embolization device versus Atlas stent assisted coiling for intracranial aneurysm treatment: a retrospective, propensity score matched study with a focus on midterm outcomes and hospital costs.

BACKGROUND: Stent assisted coiling (SAC) and flow diverters (FDs) are common endovascular treatments for wide necked cerebral aneurysms, but studies comparing the new generation Atlas SAC and FDs are scarce. We performed a propensity score matched (PSM) cohort study to compare the Atlas SAC and the pipeline embolization device (PED) for proximal internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms. METHODS: Consecutive ICA aneurysms treated at our institution with either the Atlas SAC or PED were studied. PSM was used to control for age, sex, smoking, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, and the rupture status, maximal diameter, and neck size of the aneurysm (aneurysms >15 mm and non-saccular aneurysms were excluded). Midterm outcomes and hospital costs were compared between these two devices. RESULTS: A total of 309 patients with 316 ICA aneurysms were included. Following PSM, 178 aneurysms treated with the Atlas SAC and PED were matched (n=89 in each group). Aneurysms treated with the Atlas SAC required a slightly longer procedure time, but had lower hospital costs than those treated with the PED (115.2±24.6 vs 102.4±40.8 min, P=0.012; $27 650.2±$6961.4 vs $34 107.0±$3707.2, P<0.001). Atlas SAC and PED treatments showed equivalent aneurysm occlusion rates (89.9% vs 86.5%, P=0.486), complication rates (5.6% vs 11.2%, P=0.177), and a favorable functional outcome (96.6% vs 97.8%, P=1.0) at follow-up (8.2±3.0 vs 8.4±4.2 months, P=0.652). CONCLUSION: In this PSM study, midterm outcomes of the PED and Atlas SAC in the treatment of ICA aneurysms were similar. However, SAC required a longer operation time, and the PED may increase the economic cost of inpatients in Beijing, China.

Predicting Persistent Aneurysm Filling After Pipeline Embolization Device Treatment in Patients with Intracranial Aneurysm: Development and External Validation of a Nomogram Model.

The pipeline embolization device (PED) is an effective endovascular treatment modality for intracranial aneurysm (IA), but nearly one-fifth of IAs treated with a PED remain persistently filling at 1-year angiography follow-up. Developing a nomogram to predict persistent aneurysm filling after PED treatment can help neurointerventionalists identify aneurysms with incomplete occlusion and change their treatment strategies. This retrospective study included patients with IA treated with a PED from three institutions between April 2016 and April 2022, assigned to a derivation or validation cohort. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors and develop a nomogram to predict persistent aneurysm filling after PED treatment in the derivation cohort. Predictive accuracy and clinical benefits of the nomogram were assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). In total, 1006 patients with IA were included, 786 in the derivation cohort and 220 in the validation cohort. Over mean follow-up time 18.36 ± 8.58 months, 142 (14.1%) patients developed persistent aneurysm filling after PED treatment, 110 (14.0%) in the derivation cohort and 32 (14.5%) in the validation cohort. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, we developed a nomogram incorporating five predictors: aneurysms located in the basilar artery, dissecting aneurysms, maximum diameter, aneurysms with incorporated branches, and PED plus coiling. AUCs of the nomogram were 0.810 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.765-0.856) in the derivation cohort and 0.840 (95% CI, 0.754-0.925) in the validation cohort. Calibration curve and DCA analysis demonstrated the utility and clinical application value of this nomogram. This nomogram provides individualized prediction of persistent aneurysm filling after PED treatment for patients with IA, representing a practical approach to effectiveness evaluation. This tool can help neurointerventionalists to identify aneurysms with incomplete occlusion and change their treatment strategy.

Methylprednisolone is related to lower incidence of postoperative bleeding after flow diverter treatment for unruptured intracranial aneurysm.

Background and objectives: Regarding the anti-inflammatory effect, methylprednisolone is a candidate to prevent patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) from postoperative bleeding (PB) after flow diverter (FD) treatment. This study aimed to investigate whether methylprednisolone is related to a lower incidence of PB after FD treatment for UIAs. Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed UIA patients receiving FD treatment between October 2015 and July 2021. All patients were observed until 72 h after FD treatment. The patients receiving methylprednisolone (80 mg, bid, for at least 24 h) were considered as standard methylprednisolone treatment (SMT) users, otherwise as non-SMT users. The primary endpoint indicated the occurrence of PB, including subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage, and ventricular bleeding, within 72 h after FD treatment. This study compared the incidence of PB between SMT users and non-SMT users and investigated the protective effect of SMT on PB after FD treatment using the Cox regression model. Finally, after controlling the potential factors related to PB, we performed subgroup analysis to further confirm the protective effect of SMT on PB. Results: This study finally included 262 UIA patients receiving FD treatment. PB occurred in 11 patients (4.2%), and 116 patients (44.3%) received SMT postoperatively. The median time from the end of surgery to PB was 12.3 h (range: 0.5-48.0 h). SMT users had a lower incidence of PB comparing with non-SMT users (1/116, 0.9% vs. 10/146, 6.8%, respectively; p = 0.017). The multivariate Cox analysis demonstrated that SMT users (HR, 0.12 [95%CI, 0.02-0.94], p = 0.044) had a lower risk of PB postoperatively. After controlling the potential factors related to PB (i.e., gender, irregular shape, surgical methods [FD and FD + coil] and UIA sizes), the patients receiving SMT still had a lower cumulative incidence of PB, comparing with patients receiving non-SMT (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: SMT was correlated with the lower incidence of PB for patients receiving FD treatment and may be a potential method to prevent PB after the FD treatment.

Alcohol flushing syndrome is significantly associated with intracranial aneurysm rupture in the Chinese Han population.

Objective: Although alcohol flushing syndrome (AFS) has been associated with various diseases, its association with intracranial aneurysm rupture (IAR) is unclear. We aimed to examine this association in the Chinese Han population. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed Chinese Han patients with intracranial aneurysms who were evaluated and treated at our institution between January 2020 and December 2021. AFS was determined using a semi-structured telephone interview. Clinical data and aneurysm characteristics were assessed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were conducted to determine independent factors associated with aneurysmal rupture. Results: A total of 1,170 patients with 1,059 unruptured and 236 ruptured aneurysms were included. The incidence of aneurysm rupture was significantly higher in patients without AFS (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, there was a significantly difference between the AFS and non-AFS group in habitual alcohol consumption (10.5 vs. 27.2%, p < 0.001). In the univariate analyses, AFS [odds ratio (OR) 0.49; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.34-0.72] was significantly associated with IAR. In the multivariate analysis, AFS was an independent predictor of IAR (OR 0.50; 95%, CI, 0.35-0.71). Multivariate analysis revealed that AFS was an independent predictor of IAR in both habitual (OR 0.11; 95% CI, 0.03-0.45) and non-habitual drinkers (OR 0.69; 95% CI, 0.49-0.96). Conclusion: Alcohol flushing syndrome may be a novel clinical marker to assess the risk of IAR. The association between AFS and IAR exists independently of alcohol consumption. Further single nucleotide polymorphism testing and molecular biology studies are warranted.

Case report: Covered stent placement to treat delayed aneurysmal rupture after flow diverter-assisted coil embolization.

Introduction: Flow diverter (FD) placement is widely accepted as a treatment for large saccular intracranial aneurysms. Delayed aneurysmal rupture (DAR) after FD placement is potentially catastrophic and difficult to treat. To our knowledge, using a Willis covered stent (WCS) to treat DAR after placement of a Pipeline Flex embolization device (PFED) combined with coiling has not been previously reported. Case presentation: A 49-year-old woman with an incidental asymptomatic large right supraclinoid internal carotid artery aneurysm was treated with PFED placement and adjunctive coiling. DAR causing subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred 11 hours after the procedure. Treatment using a WCS was successful and resulted in a favorable clinical outcome (modified Rankin scale score 2). Conclusion: DAR after FD implantation requires isolation of the aneurysm from the cerebral circulation as soon as possible. WCS placement can achieve this immediately and occlude the aneurysm. We hope our case could provide new idea for similar cases in the future.

Neuroform atlas stent-assisted coiling of tiny wide-necked intracranial aneurysms.

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of Neuroform Atlas stent-assisted coiling for the treatment of tiny wide-necked intracranial aneurysms and evaluate risk factors associated with procedure-related complications. Methods: We retrospectively examined 46 patients with 46 tiny wide-necked aneurysms who were treated using Atlas stent-assisted coiling at our institution from August 2020 to May 2022. Patient and aneurysm characteristics, procedural details, procedure-related complications, and angiographic and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results: A total of 10 patients presented with aneurysmal rupture. Atlas stent placement was successful in all patients. Angiography immediately after the procedure showed complete occlusion in 38 patients (82.6%), neck remnant in 7 (15.2%), and partial occlusion in 1 (2.2%). The mean angiographic follow-up was 8.4 months (range, 6-16). At the last follow-up, angiography showed complete occlusion in 41 patients (89.1%) and neck remnant in 5 (10.9%). No aneurysm recurrence or in-stent stenosis occurred. Incidence of procedure-related complications was 10.8% (intraprocedural aneurysm rupture, two cases; acute thrombosis, two cases; and coil migration, one case); only one patient (2.2%) experienced procedural neurological morbidity. The mean clinical follow-up was 9.7 months. A favorable outcome was achieved in 45 patients (97.8%). In univariate logistic regression analysis, aneurysm size (odds ratio, 4.538; P = 0.045) was significantly associated with procedure-related complications. However, multivariate analysis found no independent risk factors. Conclusion: Atlas stent-assisted coiling of tiny wide-necked intracranial aneurysms is feasible and effective. Outcomes and occlusion rates are favorable and morbidity is low. The complication rate may be higher in larger tiny aneurysms.

Stent-assisted coiling using the Neuroform Atlas stent for treatment of aneurysms that recur after coil embolization.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of stent-assisted coiling (SAC) using the Neuroform Atlas stent for aneurysms that recur after coil embolization. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent SAC using the Neuroform Atlas stent to treat aneurysms that recurred after coil embolization from November 2020 to November 2021. Patient and aneurysm characteristics, procedural details, complications, and angiographic and clinical follow-up outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Results: Eleven patients with 11 recurrent aneurysms were included for analysis. Atlas stent deployment was successful in all cases. Angiography immediately after the SAC procedure and at last follow-up showed complete occlusion in 10 patients (90.9%) and a residual neck in one (9.1%). Mean angiographic and clinical follow-ups were 9.2 and 10 months, respectively. A single procedure-related complication occurred, mildly blurred vision in the left eye, which recovered completely. No permanent morbidity or mortality occurred. Conclusion: SAC using the Atlas stent to treat aneurysms that recur after coil embolization is safe and effective. Large-scale studies with long-term follow-up are warranted to confirm our results.

Endovascular Treatment for Aneurysms Located in the Posterior Communicating Artery (PCoA) by the Swinging-Tail Technique: A Technical Note.

PURPOSES: A stent-assisted coil (SAC) is a safe and effective treatment modality for some complex intracranial aneurysms, especially for wide neck aneurysms. However, some wide neck aneurysms with a tough angle and located in the posterior communicating artery (PCoA) are challenging to treat with a SAC. This study aimed to examine and discuss the swinging-tail technique for treating wide neck aneurysms located in the PCoA using a SAC by Prof. Lv. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our institutional clinical database and identified nine patients with neck aneurysms located in the PCoA, and these patients underwent the swinging-tail technique by Prof. Lv, which is a novel technique of releasing a stent, from June 2016 to September 2021. RESULTS: In this study, nine patients underwent SAC treatment using the swinging-tail technique by Prof. Lv. Aneurysmal complete occlusion was observed in every patient without any complications, as shown by immediate postoperative angiography. Additionally, the modified Rankin scale was monitored for clinical outcomes in the follow-up. One patient died postoperatively due to severe SAH with an intraventricular hemorrhage. Four of nine patients underwent imaging follow-up, demonstrating the complete occlusion of aneurysms; eight patients underwent clinical follow-up and achieved a favorable clinical outcome (modified Rankin scale score: 0-2). CONCLUSION: The SAC treatment for wide neck aneurysms located in the PCoA can be challenging for operators because of the specific location, resulting in inadequate vessel wall apposition by antegrade stenting via the ipsilateral vessel. In this circumstance, the swinging-tail technique may be a feasible and effective choice.

Transvenous embolization of hemorrhagic brain arteriovenous malformations: Case reports and literature review.

Introduction: Transvenous embolization (TVE) has been proven to be safe and feasible as an alternative management of brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). We presented four patients with a hemorrhagic brain AVM who underwent TVE and reviewed the relevant literature. Methods: Four patients underwent TVE of a hemorrhagic brain AVM in our center between July 2019 and July 2020. We retrospectively collected and analyzed the clinical and imaging data of these patients and those reported in previously published studies. Results: Four patients with a hemorrhagic brain AVM were included. Nidus sizes ranged from 0.79 to 2.56 cm. Spetzler-Martin grade ranged from grade II to grade III. The AVM nidus was located in a deep brain region in three patients. One patient underwent TVE alone and three underwent combined transarterial and transvenous approaches. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) demonstrated complete obliteration of the vascular malformation after embolization in all four patients. Three patients were independent [modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≤ 2] at discharge. All four patients were independent at the last follow-up. AVM obliteration was confirmed in all four patients at the last angiographic follow-up. Conclusion: Transvenous embolization can be used as an alternative treatment for contemporary management of brain AVMs, appropriate patient selection is essential to achieve a good clinical outcome.

Reconstructive Endovascular Treatment of Basilar Trunk and Vertebrobasilar Junction Aneurysms: A Review of 77 Consecutive Cases.

Background: Basilar trunk and vertebrobasilar junction (BTVBJ) aneurysms have a poor prognosis and are challenging to treat. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of reconstructive endovascular treatment for BTVBJ aneurysms and explore a treatment selection paradigm. Methods: Clinical and angiographic data from 77 patients with 80 BTVBJ aneurysms who underwent endovascular treatment with flow diverters (FDs) or conventional stent-assisted coiling between January 2016 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Aneurysm characteristics and treatment outcomes were compared between treatment groups. Results: Among the 77 study patients, 34 (44.2%) were treated with FDs and 43 (55.8%) with conventional stent-assisted coiling. Overall, 72.7% of patients achieved favorable clinical outcome at follow-up. The rate of procedure-related complications was 23.4%. The aneurysm occlusion rate at last follow-up did not differ between the FD and conventional stent groups (79.2% vs. 77.1%, p = 0.854). Although the occlusion rate immediately after the procedure was lower in the FD group (29.4%), incidence of progressive occlusion was significantly higher (62.5 vs. 5.7%; p < 0.001). The proportion of patients with large and giant aneurysms (≥10 mm) was significantly higher in the FD group (70.6 vs. 34.8%; p = 0.002). In patients with large or giant aneurysms, favorable clinical outcome at last follow-up was achieved in 75% of patients in the FD group but only 43.8% of patients in the conventional stent group (p = 0.046). Moreover, the complication rate was lower in the FD group, but the difference was not significant (20.8 vs. 37.5%; p = 0.247). The same analyses were performed for patients with small aneurysms (<10 mm) but no significant differences between the two groups were observed. Conclusion: Endovascular treatment of small BTVBJ aneurysms using either FDs or conventional stents was feasible and effective. In patients with large or giant aneurysms, treatment using FDs achieved higher rates of occlusion and favorable clinical outcome at last follow-up than conventional stent-assisted coiling.

Serum IL-1, Pyroptosis and Intracranial Aneurysm Wall Enhancement: Analysis Integrating Radiology, Serum Cytokines and Histology.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Aneurysm wall enhancement (AWE) is correlated with the rupture and growth risk of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). Pyroptosis is a proinflammation mode of lytic cell death, mediated by pyroptosis-related proteins, i.e., gasdermin D and interleukin 1 ß (IL-1ß). Integrating serum cytokines and histology, this study aimed to investigate the correlation between AWE and pyroptosis in UIAs. METHODS: UIA patients receiving microsurgical clipping were prospectively enrolled from January 2017 and June 2020. UIA samples were collected, as well as the corresponding blood samples. In this study, high-resolution magnetic resonance was employed to identify the AWE. The serum 46-cytokines examination and the histological analysis were conducted to determine pyroptosis, CD68 and MMP2. The IL-1 ra/beta ratio was determined by complying with the serum IL-1ß and IL-1.ra. A comparison was drawn in the differences between UIAs with and without AWE. Lastly, the correlation between inflammation in UIA samples and serums was investigated. RESULTS: This study included 34 UIA patients. The serum proinflammatory cytokines [IL-1ß (P < 0.001) and TNF-α (P < 0.001)] were up-regulated, and serum anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1.ra, P = 0.042) were down-regulated in patients with AWE UIAs. The patients with AWE UIAs achieved a higher IL-1.ra/beta ratio (P < 0.001). The multivariate logistic analysis demonstrated IL-1ß [odds ratio (OR), 1.15; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02-1.30; P = 0.028] and IL-1.ra (OR, 0.998; 95% CI, 0.997-1.000; P = 0.017) as the risk factors correlated with the AWE. IL-1.ra/beta ratio achieved the highest predictive accuracy [area under the curve (AUC), 0.96] for AWE, followed by IL-1.ra (AUC, 0.90), IL-1ß (AUC, 0.88) and TNF-α (AUC, 0.85). As compared with the UIAs without AWE, the AWE UIAs were manifested as a severer wall remodeling, with higher relative levels of pyroptosis-related proteins, CD68 and MMP2. The serum IL-1ß, IL-1.ra and IL-1.ra/beta ratio had a positive correlation with the relative levels of pyroptosis-related proteins, CD68 and MMP2 in UIA tissues. CONCLUSION: The serum IL-1ß and IL-1.ra were correlated with the AWE. More pyroptosis-related proteins were identified in UIAs with AWE. The serum IL-1ß and IL-1.ra were correlated with the pyroptosis-related proteins in aneurysm tissues.

Clinical and Angiographic Outcomes After Stent-Assisted Coiling of Cerebral Aneurysms With Laser-Cut and Braided Stents: A Comparative Analysis of the Literatures.

Introduction: Stent-assisted coiling (SAC) plays an important role in endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms (IAs). This comparative analysis examines the safety and efficacy of SAC in general and compares clinical and angiographic outcomes between laser-cut stents and braided stents. Methods: Relevant English-language studies were identified via a PubMed search for published articles regarding outcomes of SAC using laser-cut stents and braided stents published from 2015 to 2020. Data from 56 studies that met our inclusion criteria were pooled and statistically compared. Results: A total of 4,373 patients harboring with 4,540 IAs were included. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of stent type: laser-cut stents (2,076 aneurysms in 1991 patients; mean follow-up, 12.99 months) and braided stents (2,464 aneurysms in 2382 patients; mean follow-up, 18.41 months). Overall, the rates of successful stent deployment, thromboembolic events, stent stenosis, periprocedural intracranial hemorrhage, permanent morbidity, mortality, and recanalization were 97.72, 4.72, 2.87, 1.51, 2.14, 1.16, and 6.06%, respectively. Laser-cut stents were associated with a significantly higher rate of successful deployment (p = 0.003) and significantly lower rate of periprocedural intracranial hemorrhage (p = 0.048). Braided stents were associated with a significantly lower rate of permanent morbidity (p = 0.015). Conclusion: SAC of IAs using laser-cut stents or braided stents was effective and safe. Rates of thromboembolic events, stent stenosis, mortality, and recanalization were comparable between the stent types. Braided stents were associated with lower permanent morbidity while laser-cut stents were associated with more favorable rates of successful deployment and periprocedural intracranial hemorrhage.

Case Report: Persistent Primitive Hypoglossal Artery Accompanied by a Basilar Bifurcation Aneurysm Treated by Y-Stent-Assisted Coil Embolization.

Successful embolization of a basilar bifurcation aneurysm associated with a persistent primitive hypoglossal artery (PPHA) using Y-stent-assisted coiling.