A Heterogeneous Model of Endovascular Devices for the Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms

Flow diverters (pipeline embolization device, Silk flow diverter, and Surpass flow diverter) have been developed to treat intracranial aneurysms. These endovascular devices are placed within the parent artery rather than the aneurysm sac. They take advantage of altering hemodynamics at the aneurysm/parent vessel interface, resulting in gradual thrombosis of the aneurysm occurring over time. Subsequent inflammatory response, healing, and endothelial growth shrink the aneurysm and reconstruct the parent artery lumen while preserving perforators and side branches in most cases. Flow diverters have already allowed treatment of previously untreatable wide neck and giant aneurysms. There are risks with flow diverters including in-stent thrombosis, perianeurysmal edema, distant and delayed hemorrhages, and perforator occlusions. Comparative efficacy and safety against other therapies are being studied in ongoing trials. Antiplatelet therapy is mandatory with flow diverters, which has highlighted the need for better evidence for monitoring and tailoring antiplatelet therapy. In this paper we review the devices, their uses, associated complications, evidence base, and ongoing studies.

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Endovascular remodeling of tortuous cervical segments of the internal carotid artery that hinder the management of complex intracranial aneurysms

Romanian Neurosurgery ◽

10.2478/romneu-2013-0008 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 249-259 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marco Antonio Zenteno ◽

Jorge Arturo Santos-Franco ◽

Luis Rafael Moscote-Salazar ◽

Ángel Lee

Keyword(s):

Carotid Artery ◽

Internal Carotid Artery ◽

Intracranial Aneurysms ◽

Internal Carotid ◽

Case Series ◽

Carotid Stenting ◽

Target Lesion ◽

Technical Complication ◽

Intravascular Devices ◽

Endovascular Devices

Abstract Introduction: Severe tortuosity of the cervical segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) may hamper the navigation of intravascular devices for the management of complex intracranial aneurysms and even conventional techniques of ICA access can fail. In a group of selected cases, we analyzed the efficacy and safety of carotid stenting to straighten the Severe tortuosity for direct navigation of the devices. Methods: A case series of 16 patients harboring 18 intracranial aneurysms with a difficult endovascular approach because of a cervical ICA with Severe tortuosity were prospectively recruited at our institution from January 2005 to December 2007. When traditional means of correction could not surmount this obstacle, an overlap stenting with a distal-to-proximal technique was used to overcome the Severe tortuosity. The efficacy of the procedure was defined as the ability to reach and be able to treat the target lesion with a smooth navigation of the endovascular devices. Safety was documented by procedure-related complications. Results: The straightening of the vessel by the stent helped to overcome pitfalls, making possible an obstacle-free navigation of the endovascular devices to the target lesion in all cases. In 5 cases with severe or double kinking, a distal transfer of the curve beyond the stent was observed, without impact on the efficacy of the procedure. One case of periprocedural related technical complication occurred with a permanent stroke. During the follow-up period (22.7 ± 8.4 months) no case of stent-related stroke or severe hyperplasia was observed. Conclusions: Carotid stenting is an available option when a cervical ICA with Severe tortuosity hampers a smooth catheterization of the intracranial circulation, in carefully selected cases. It allows a relatively safe and free navigation and/or deployment of additional endovascular devices needed for the treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms.

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