Endovascular Management of Hemorrhagic Stroke

Significant advances in endovascular neurosurgery tools, devices, and techniques are changing the approach to the management of acute hemorrhagic stroke. The endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms emerged in the early 1990s with Guglielmi detachable coils, and since then, it gained rapid popularity that surpassed open surgery. Stent-assisted coiling and balloon remodeling techniques have made the treatment of wide-necked aneurysms more durable. With the introduction of flow diverters and flow disrupters, many aneurysms with complex geometrics can now be reliably managed. Arteriovenous malformations and fistulae can also benefit from endovascular therapy by embolization using n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA), Onyx, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and coils. In this article, we describe the role of endovascular treatment for the most common causes of intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhages, particularly ruptured aneurysms and vascular malformations.

Coil-In-Plug Technique Using the Amplatzer Vascular Plug II to Occlude a Portosystemic Shunt

Introduction The family of Amplatzer Vascular Plugs (AVPs) is characterized by their precise deployment and high resistance to migration. However, a risk of recanalization of the embolized vessels has been reported. To augment the effectiveness of embolization, the coil-in-plug (CIP) technique was developed, exclusively using AVP I or IV. However, these plugs cannot be used for large vessels like portovenous shunt because of the size limitation. AVP II has a larger-sized model up to 22 mm. This article reports two cases of embolizing high-flow and large-caliber portosystemic shunts where the CIP technique with multilayer AVP II was effectively employed. Materials and methods The CIP technique using AVP II was utilized for one case with a portocaval shunt and another with a splenorenal shunt. CIP was established with wire penetration through the multilayer meshes, followed by a microcatheter insertion. After the microcatheter was positioned in the central lobe, the internal space was embolized tightly using pushable or detachable coils. Results A use of guidewire with a high tip load enabled an establishment of CIP and complete occlusion of the target vessels immediately without migration of the embolic devices in both cases. The symptom of encephalopathy improved after the procedure in both the case of the portocaval and the splenorenal shunt. Conclusion The CIP technique with the AVP II was safe and effective to achieve complete occlusion of the large-caliber portosystemic shunts.

Embolization for Carotid Blowout in Head and Neck Cancer: Case Report of Five Patients

Carotid blowout syndrome (CBS) is defined as a rupture of common carotid artery or its branches. Endovascular intervention has been advocated as first line of treatment for CBS. This Case Report describes 5 patients with prior history of head and neck cancer who presented with CBS. Two patients presented as acute, 2 as impending, and one as threatened CBS. The lesions found were pseudoaneurysm and focal vascular irregularities involving the common carotid artery, cervical internal carotid artery and lingual artery. Embolization and occlusion with detachable coils of the artery was used in all patients. Technical success and immediate hemostasis were achieved in all patients. One patient presented transient cranial nerve palsy. No recurrent CBS was reported during the follow-up. In our experience, coil embolization, if possible, is a safe and efficient technique in treatment of CBS secondary to head and neck cancers.

Detachable coil embolisation for iatrogenic femoral arteriovenous fistula in patients with CHDs

We present two cases of patients with iatrogenic femoral arteriovenous fistula who underwent successful embolisation using three-dimensional shape detachable coils. A 49-year-old male with Tetralogy of Fallot had arteriovenous fistula which developed from the common femoral artery to the femoral vein with an aneurysm and a 17-year-old female with single ventricle after total-cavo-pulmonary-connection had two arteriovenous fistulas which developed from the internal iliac artery to the femoral vein. A total of six and seven pieces of detachable coils were necessary for complete occlusion, respectively. No complications were recorded. The advantage of the detachable coil is a wide variation and repositioning until the coil achieves good stabilisation and an ideal configuration.

Successful balloon-assisted coil embolization for a diagnostically difficult case of spontaneous vertebrovertebral arteriovenous fistula

Background: We describe a rare case of idiopathic lower cervical vertebro-vertebral arteriovenous fistula (VVAVF) with compression of the nerve roots and spinal cord, successfully treated with detachable coils utilizing the transarterial balloon-assisted technique without complication of coil mass. Case Description: A 68-year-old woman was admitted for numbness of the left upper limb and pain in the left neck. Cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed compression of nerve roots and spinal cord by a large vascular lesion. The left vertebral angiography demonstrated a VVAVF draining into the vertebral venous plexus at C5 level. Under general anesthesia, the fistula site was accessed with a microcatheter through the right femoral artery, and successful embolization performed by compactly placing several detachable coils using balloon-assisted technique. The patient made a full recovery, with long-term MRI-documented left vertebral artery patency and no fistular leakage, and without postoperative complications. Conclusion: Target occlusion utilizing the balloon-assisted technique in this case of VVAVF with compression of nerve roots and spinal cord, was effective in improving neurological symptoms, and achieved long-term occlusion when preservation of the VA was desired.

Emergency tips recanalisation and gastroesophageal varices embolisation with an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer agent (Squid) and detachable coils

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is currently indicated as first therapeutic option in the main complications of portal hypertension, including bleeding gastroesophageal varices and refractory ascites. In case of bleeding gastroesophageal varices, an adjuvant embolisation within TIPS can be useful to prevent rebleeding. In the present technical note, the management in emergency of a patient with haemorrhagic shock due to bleeding gastroesophageal varices and occluded TIPS is reported. TIPS recanalisation with an adjunctive stent and high-pressure balloon angioplasty and gastroesophageal varices embolisation using detachable coils and a non-adhesive liquid embolic agent were performed during the same emergent procedure. After the procedure, clinical stabilisation of the patient was achieved, with blood transfusions suspension and Blakemore tube removal. At 6 months, regular TIPS patency at colour Doppler and no rebleeding episodes were recorded. To our knowledge, whilst coils are routinely used for varices embolisation, non-adhesive liquid embolic agents have been never mentioned. Liquid embolic agents seem to provide a stable plug strengthening the embolising action of the coils. Further studies involving a cohort of patients with long-term follow-up will be necessary to confirm whether this association can be more effective than coils alone in gastroesophageal varices embolisation.

Application of flow coils to occlude distal vertebrobasilar aneurysms

Objective ‒ to improve the quality of treatment and endovascular occlusion techniques in case of distal vertebrobasilar (VB) aneurysms with implementation of flow coils usage.Materials and methods. Retrospective analysis of 4 patients (3 women and 1 man, mean age 53.5 years) with VB aneurysms in a 2-year period treated in Scientific-Practical Center of Endovascular Neuroradiology NAMS of Ukraine. Pretreatment clinical status was recorded from the patient files, any new neurologic symptoms after the treatment were recorded. Clinical outcome of the patients was established from the patient files. We describe the case of distal superior cerebellar artery aneurysm, 3 cases of posterior inferior cerebellar artery neurysms treated successfully with flow coils with 3-month follow-up at least. All patients underwent cerebral angiography with transfemoral access. Subsequently, coiling of the most distal to the aneurysm segment of the artery was performed.Results. All patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage with vestibulo-atactic disorder, diplopia in the case of an aneurysm of the superior cerebellar artery. Endovascular deconstructive occlusion of the aneurysm was performed, according to the data of cerebral angiography, anatomy of the involved artery. In postprocedure Reversible neurological decline in one patient after performing deconstructive occlusion was observed, the symptom completely recovered within 2 weeks of the post-procedural period. Three patients noted the regression of static-coordination disorders in the first 5 days after surgery. No cases of extravasation during coiling and recanalization of the artery during the control examination were observed.Conclusions. Aneurysms of posterior inferior cerebellar artery and superior cerebellar artery are rare. Technical availability to reach the distal to the aneurysm segment of the artery is the key of successful procedure. In comparison with general microcatheters used to insert detachable coils, A microcatheter that is congruent to flow coils is a better navigated in a flow and has lower risk of damaging the artery wall because its physical properties. When the favorable positioning of the tip of the microcatheter is achieved, the flow coils effectively and in a controlled manner occlude the eligible segment of the artery.

Packing density and long-term occlusion after transcatheter vessel embolization with soft, bare-platinum detachable coils

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine packing density and long-term recanalization rates after embolization with soft, bare-platinum ruby coils in the gastroduodenal artery (GDA). Materials and Methods: Retrospective case review of patients with hepatic malignancy who underwent coil occlusion of the GDA for radioembolization or hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy between November 2013 and July 2018. Data on patient demographics, GDA diameter, length of coil pack, and distance between GDA origin and most proximal coil were collected. Packing density was calculated as the ratio between the volume of inserted coils and the volume of the vessel area that were filled with coil. The primary outcome was the rate of GDA recanalization, determined by review of hepatic arteriograms at follow-up. Results: Long-term occlusion free of recanalization was observed in 97.8% (88/90) of patients over a median follow-up time of 13.4 ± 11.3 months. Median vessel packing density was 55% (interquartile range 41–71) and procedural technical success was achieved in 100% (90/90) of patients. Of the 90 patients (72 men; mean age 63.8 ± 7.5 years), mean GDA diameter was 4.0 ± 0.8 mm and the proximal coil distance from GDA origin was 8.6 ± 3.0 mm. Mean coil pack length was 21.2 ± 7.6 mm. Recanalization occurred in 2.2% (2/90) of patients. No increase in recanalization rates with distal coil placement was observed. Conclusions: The study demonstrates high levels of technical success and low rates of recanalization (2.2%) when high packing densities (55%) are achieved using soft, bare-platinum ruby coils. The rate of recanalization at follow-up compares favorably to previously reported literature.