Hemodynamic analysis for endovascular treatment in small unruptured intracranial aneurysms: a matched comparison study of flow diverter versus LVIS

Background We compared the treatment of small unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) with flow diverter and LVIS-assisted coiling to determine the effects of hemodynamic changes caused by different stent and coil packing in endovascular treatment. Methods Fifty-one UIAs in 51 patients treated with pipeline embolization device (PED) were included in this study and defined as the PED group. We matched controls 1:1 and enrolled 51 UIAs who were treated with LVIS stent, which were defined as the LVIS group. Computational fluid dynamics were performed to assess hemodynamic alterations between PED and LVIS. Clinical analysis was also performed between these two groups after the match. Results There was no difference in procedural complications between the two groups (P = 0.558). At the first angiographic follow-up, the complete occlusion rate was significantly higher in the LVIS group compared with that in the PED group (98.0% vs. 82.4%, P = 0.027). However, during the further angiographic follow-up, the complete occlusion rate in the PED group achieved 100%, which was higher than that in the LVIS group (98.0%). Compared with the LVIS group after treatment, cases in the PED group showed a higher value of velocity in the aneurysm (0.03 ± 0.09 vs. 0.01 ± 0.01, P = 0.037) and WSS on the aneurysm (2.32 ± 5.40 vs. 0.33 ± 0.47, P = 0.011). Consequently, the reduction ratios of these two parameters also showed statistical differences. These parameters in the LVIS group showed much higher reduction ratios. However, the reduction ratio of the velocity on the neck plane was comparable between two groups. Conclusions Both LVIS and PED were safe and effective for the treatment of small UIAs. However, LVIS-assisted coiling produced greater hemodynamic alterations in the aneurysm sac compared with PED. The hemodynamics in the aneurysm neck may be a key factor for aneurysm outcome.

Safety and Effectiveness of Coronary Angiography or Intervention through the Distal Radial Access: A Meta-Analysis

Objectives. Searching the literature for coronary angiography (CAG) or intervention through distal radial access (DRA) and performing a meta-analysis. Background. Coronary angiography (CAG) or intervention through distal radial access (DRA) may have a similar success rate, low radial artery occlusion rate, low radial artery spasm rate, and low rate of puncture site hematoma for patients with coronary heart disease. Therefore, the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched, and the data were pooled for meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of DRA. Methods. RCTs comparing the CAG or intervention through DRA vs. transradial access (TRA) published between January 1, 2017, and May 4, 2021, were searched in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. The endpoints included the rate of access success and the number of radial artery occlusions, radial artery spasms, and puncture site hematomas. The data were extracted, and a random-effects model was used for analysis. Results. Among 204 studies, 6 RCTs (with 2825 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Compared to TRA, the access success rate in DRA ( p = 0.1 ) and the lower rate of puncture site hematoma were not significantly different ( p = 0.646 ), while the radial artery occlusion rate ( p < 0.001 ) and radial artery spasm rate ( p = 0.029 ) were significantly lower. Conclusion. In summary, DRA has a similar access success rate and incidence of hematoma at the puncture site, but a lower incidence of RAO and spasm compared to TRA. These findings demonstrated that DRA is a safe and effective access for CAG or intervention.

Abstract 1122‐000103: FlowDiverter:A Study Safety and Efficacy in a Consecutive Group of 53 Patient and 60 Aneurysm

Introduction : Endovascular flow diverters are increasingly used for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms. We assessed the safety and efficacy of the Flow Diverters in a consecutive series of 53 patients and 60 aneurysms. Methods : Inclusion criteria were wide‐neck, blister‐like, or fusiform aneurysms independent of size, treated with the FRED, PIPELINE and SILK between December 2014 and Junho 2021. Assessment criteria were aneurysm occlusion, manifest ischemic stroke, bleeding, or death. The occlusion rate was assessed at 6 months and 1 year with DSA by using the Raymond classification and the O'Kelly‐Marotta grading scale. Results : Fifty three patients (mean age 54.3 years;81.1% female) with 60 aneurysms were treated with 9 Silk, 38 FREDs and 13 Pipeline. Aneurysm size ranged from 2.5 to 30 mm. Deployment of the Flow diverters was successful in 52 aneurysms. Three patient developed mild stroke symptoms that fully receded within days, 4 patients occlusion total carotid because resistant antiagregation and another patient’s development Swelling syndrome. There has been one death. Initial follow‐up at 6 months showed complete occlusion in 90% of the overall study group and 93,33% at 1 year. Conclusions : The flow diverter is a safe device for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms of various types. Our data reveal high occlusion rates at 6 months and 1 year. Long‐term occlusion rates are expected.

Treatment of Unruptured Cerebral Artery Aneurysm: A Meta-Analysis

Unruptured middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms can be treated using two techniques or procedures, microsurgical clipping and endovascular coiling. The aim of this meta-analysis study is to compare the safety and efficacy of microsurgical clipping with the endovascular coiling in the treatment of unruptured MCA aneurysms. We searched electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane library) to identify studies published between 1991 and 2019. For clipping and coiling techniques, separate meta-analyses were conducted on efficacy and safety after the intervention and at follow-up by using random- and fixed-effects models. Forty-one articles were included in our meta-analyses: 23 case series using clipping and 25 case series using coiling procedures. The complete aneurysm occlusion rate was higher in the clipping procedure (96.1%, 95% CI: 92.8%-97.9%) as compared to the coiling procedure (57.6%, 95% CI: 49.4 – 65.4%). Clipping procedure has a slightly higher rate of favorable functional outcomes (96.4%, 95% CI: 94.8 – 97.5%) compared to coiling procedure (94.8%, 95% CI: 93.1 – 96%). Interestingly, the rate of occlusion appears to decrease with time in the clipping group and increase with time in the coiling group, while the rate of favorable functional outcomes appears to increase with time in the clipping group and decrease with time in the coiling group. Publication bias was unlikely in all our analysis for studies assessing: coiling and occlusion rate, clipping and occlusion rate, coiling and functional outcomes, and clipping and functional outcomes. Microsurgical clipping yields a higher aneurysm occlusion rate, with slightly higher favorable functional outcomes in the treatment of unruptured MCA aneurysms than the endovascular coiling.

Percutaneous Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale under TEE Guidance in Cryptogenic Stroke and Migraine

Background. To investigate safety and clinical efficacy of percutaneous closure of PFO under TEE guidance in patients with cryptogenic stroke (CS) and migraine, combined PFO and large right-to-left shunt（RLS）. Methods. From January 2018 to June 2021 in our hospital, 128 patients were treated by percutaneous PFO occlusion under TEE guidance in CS and migraine. Effective occlusion rate, complications, cerebral ischemia events, migraine relief, and hospitalization costs were analyzed. Postoperative follow-up were conducted. Results. All the 128 patients were successful in percutaneous PFO occlusion. The average operation time was 20~32 (25.6±4.2) min, the average hospitalization time was 2~3(2.8±0.4) d. There were 122 patients without RLS and 6 patients with medium residual RLS, with the sealing efficiency of 95.31% by TTE and right heart contrast echocardiography. 30 patients with migraine underwent percutaneous PFO occlusion, 24 patients relief after operation, with a relief rate of 80.0%. Postoperative follow-up was conducted for 1-36（28.8±3.6）months, and no follow-up was lost. 98 cases of CS with PFO underwent percutaneous blockade were followed up without cerebral embolism recurrence, 26 of 30 patients with migraine received significant remission of migraine, with remission rate of 86.66%. There were no serious adverse events. Conclusions. For patients with CS and migraine, combined PFO and large RLS, percutaneous PFO occlusion under the guidance of TEE has fewer complications and is safe and effective. It can prevent the recurrence of CS and treat migraine.

Flow diverters for the posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms: A systematic review and a single-arm meta-analysis

Background The treatment of posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms is controversial. Recently, flow diverters have emerged as an attractive treatment option. Here, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the angiographic and clinical outcomes of flow diverter-treated posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms. Methods We searched the PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science databases for studies published from inception to January 2021. We included studies that described flow diverters procedures for posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms with ≥2 patients. The outcomes were the complete occlusion rate and flow diverter-related complication rate. Meta-analysis was performed using a random or fixed effects model based on heterogeneity. Results We included six studies involving 46 posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms. There were 14 ruptured aneurysms. All flow diverters were successfully released and the technical success rate was 100%. The complete occlusion rate was 81% (95% confidence interval = 65–93%; I2 = 0.00%; P < 0.01). The flow diverter-related complication rate was 18% (95% confidence interval = 5–36%; I2 = 0.00%; P < 0.01). One patient died of rebleeding. The mortality rate was <1% (95% confidence interval = -1–1%; I2 = 0.00%; P = 0.951). Conclusions Treatment of posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms with flow diverters is feasible and carries a high degree of technical success. However, this treatment is underutilized in patients with posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms due to a higher complication rate and lower occlusion rate compared with clipping and traditional endovascular treatment. Further well-designed prospective and randomized studies are required to fully understand the effects of flow diverters especially in posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms patients requiring endovascular treatment.

Predictors of Peri-Ophthalmic Aneurysm Incomplete Occlusion and Visual Symptoms After Treatment with a Pipeline Embolization Device: A Multi-Center Cohort Study

Objective: Peri-ophthalmic aneurysm is a special type of aneurysm. We assessed the relationship between ophthalmic artery (OA) origin and aneurysm and examined the effect of a pipeline embolization device (PED, Covidien/Medtronic) with or without coils on aneurysm occlusion rate and visual outcomes.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 194 peri-ophthalmic aneurysms in 189 patients among 1,171 patients treated with a PED in a Chinese post-market multi-center registry study from November 2014 to October 2019. Peri-ophthalmic aneurysms were defined as carotid–ophthalmic segment aneurysms arising from the internal carotid artery dorsal wall at, or distal to, the OA origin, with a superior or superomedial projection. The relationship between OA origin and the aneurysm was classified as follows: Type A, OA originating separate from the aneurysm; Type B, OA originating from the aneurysm neck or dome. Patients with aneurysm were divided into the PED-only group and the PED + coils group according to treatment. Results: The median follow-up time was 6.8 months (range, 5.3–20.2 months). There were 163 occluded aneurysms (84%) and 31 aneurysms with incomplete occlusion (16%). A multivariate analysis showed that Type B aneurysm was a risk factor for incomplete occlusion in the PED-only group (odds ratio [OR] 4.951, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.904-12.875, p = 0.001). Visual symptoms at final follow up correlated with preoperative visual symptoms (OR 16.005, 95% CI 2.505-102.273, p = 0.003).Conclusions: Type B aneurysm is associated with a lower occlusion rate after PED-only treatment. Patients with preoperative visual symptoms should be treated promptly to avoid permanent visual symptoms.

Flow redirection endoluminal device (FRED) for treatment of intracranial aneurysms: A systematic review

Introduction The Flow Redirection Endoluminal Device (FRED; MicroVention) is a dual-layered flow diverter used for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. The objective of this systematic review was to compile device-related safety and effectiveness data. Methods The literature from January 1, 2013 to April 30, 2021 was searched for studies describing use of the FRED for intracranial aneurysm treatment irrespective of aneurysm location and morphology. The review included anterior and posterior circulation ruptured and unruptured saccular, fusiform or dissection, and blister aneurysms. MeSH terms related to “flow re-direction endoluminal device” and “FRED for aneurysms” were used. Data related to indication, complications, and rates of aneurysm occlusion were retrieved and analyzed. Results Twenty-two studies with 1729 intracranial aneurysms were included in this review. Overall reported morbidity was 3.9% (range 0–20%). Overall procedure-related mortality was 1.4% (range 0–6%). Complication rates fell into 5 categories: technical (3.6%), ischemic (3.8%), thrombotic or stenotic (6%), hemorrhagic (1.5%), and non-neurological (0.8%). The aneurysm occlusion rate between 0 and 3 months (reported in 11 studies) was 47.8%. The occlusion rate between 4 and 6 months (reported in 14 studies) was 73.8%. Occlusion rates continued to increase to 75.1% at 7–12 months (reported in 10 studies) and 86.6% for follow-up beyond 1 year (reported in 10 studies). Conclusion This review indicated that the FRED is a safe and effective for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Future studies should directly compare the FRED with other flow diverters for a better understanding of comparative safety and effectiveness among the different devices.