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Dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) accounts for approximately 10% of all intracranial vascular malformations. While they can be benign lesions, the presence of retrograde venous drainage and cortical venous reflux makes the natural course of these lesions aggressive high risk of haemorrhage, neurological injury and mortality. Endovascular treatment is often the first line of treatment for dAVF. Both transarterial and transvenous approaches are used to cure dAVF. The selection of treatment approach depends on the angioarchitecture of the dAVF, the location, the direction of venous flow. Surgery and, to a lesser extent, stereotactic radiosurgery are used when endovascular approaches are impossible or unsuccessful.

Flow diverters and flow disruption technology, alongside nuanced endovascular techniques, have ushered in a new era of treating cerebral aneurysms. Here, we provide an overview of the latest flow modulation devices and highlight their clinical applications and outcomes.

BackgroundDual antiplatelet therapy (DAT), most commonly with aspirin and Clopidogrel, is the standard of care for intracranial stenting, including flow diversion. Clopidogrel response varies by individual.ObjectiveTo investigate the real-world precision of VerifyNow P2Y12 assessment (Accumetrics, San Diego, California) of Clopidogrel response.MethodsUsing a prospectively-collected, IRB-approved cerebral aneurysm database 643 patients were identified who were treated with the Pipeline embolization device from 2011 to 2017. Patients with multiple P2Y12 assays drawn within a 24-h window were identified. A single patient could contribute multiple, independent sets. Levels drawn before a 5-d course of DAT and patients who received alternative antiplatelet agents were excluded. Therapeutic range was defined as platelet reaction units (PRU) 60-200.ResultsA total of 1586 P2Y12 measurements were recorded; 293 (46%) patients had more than one assay. One hundred forty (22%) patients had multiple P2Y12 measurements within 24 h. These patients accounted for 230 independent 24-h sets. The average P2Y12 fluctuation across all sets was 35 points; the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles were 12, 26, and 48 points, respectively. Of the 230 24-h sets of P2Y12 assays, 76% remained within their original therapeutic category: 100 (43%) all therapeutic, 54 (23%) all hypo-responsive, and 21 (9%) all hyper-responsive. Twenty-four percent of patients fluctuated between therapeutic categories when multiple P2Y12 assessments were drawn within a 24-h period: 29 (13%) between hypo-response and therapeutic, 23 (10%) between hyper-response and therapeutic, and 3 (1%) between hypo-response and hyper-response.ConclusionOur experience suggests P2Y12 is an often-imprecise measure, and this should be considered when utilizing P2Y12 levels for clinical decisions.

IntroductionInternal carotid artery termination (ICAT) and proximal A1 aneurysms can be challenging for open surgical clipping or endovascular coiling. Treatment with flow diversion covering the middle cerebral artery (MCA), an end vessel supplying a terminal circulation, has not been reported.MethodsA prospective, Institutional Review Board-approved database was analysed for patients with pipeline embolisation device (PED) placement from the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) to the ICA during cerebral aneurysm treatment.ResultsNine cases were identified, including five proximal A1, three posterior communicating artery and one ICAT aneurysm locations. Average aneurysm size was 8.3 mm (range 3-17), with 67% saccular and 78% right-sided. Primary indication for treatment was significant dome irregularity (44%), recurrence or enlargement (33%), underlying collagen vascular disorder (11%) and traumatic pseudoaneurysm (11%). Preservation of the ipsilateral ACA (with PED placed in A1) was performed when the anterior communicating artery (67%) or contralateral A1 (33%) were absent on angiography. Adjunctive coiling was done in four cases (44%). There was one major stroke leading to mortality (11%) and one minor stroke (11%). Clinical follow-up was 27 months on average. Follow-up digital subtraction angiography (average interval 15 months) showed complete aneurysm obliteration (88%) or dome occlusion with entry remnant (12%). The jailed MCA showed minimal or mild delay (primarily anterograde flow) in 75% of cases and significant delay (reliance primarily on ACA and external carotid artery collaterals) in 25%.ConclusionsCovering the MCA with a flow diverting stent should be reserved for select rare cases. Strict attention to blood pressure augmentation during the periprocedural period is necessary to minimise potential ischaemic compromise.

Pipeline embolisation device (PED) 'twisting' is an intra-operative complication that manifests with the appearance of a 'figure-8' in perpendicular planes on digital subtraction angiography. A twisted PED causes narrowing and/or complete occlusion of the vessel lumen and poses significant risks for thrombus formation and downstream ischaemia. Here, we present a case in which three unique PED implants become twisted during pipeline embolisation of a large fusiform internal carotid artery aneurysm. The twists were remediated by balloon angioplasty and a combination of techniques that allowed the PED to rotate and restore its original axis. Six-month and twelve-month follow-up angiography demonstrated complete aneurysm occlusion with preservation of the parent vessel, proving that proper remediation of PED twisting can still result in successful long-term outcomes.

Background Flow diversion (FD) embolization of intracranial cerebral aneurysms is an increasingly common modality where treatment success depends on adequate vessel wall apposition of the device. This study aimed to investigate off-label use of the Comaneci device for augmenting vessel wall apposition in postdeployed flow diversion stents (FDS). Methods Over a 20-month period, all FD cases for the treatment of internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms were reviewed. Cases in which the Comaneci device was used to augment vessel wall apposition were analyzed. Data including patient demographics, case characteristics, and procedural outcomes were collected and analyzed as counts. Results From a total of 74 ICA FD cases, the Comaneci device was used to improve vessel wall apposition in 22 cases (29.7%). Of these cases, 91% were female with a mean patient age of 64.9±11.3 years, and an average aneurysm size of 4.5±2.5 mm. Comaneci device deployment and retrieval was successful in all (100%) cases, with an average fluoroscopy time of 27.3±7.8 min, an average contrast usage of 25.8±13.2 mL, and an average radiation exposure of 915.1±320.8 mGy. Only two cases (9%) required subsequent balloon angioplasty after Comaneci deployment to improve vessel wall apposition throughout the FDS. Conclusion Our experience with this technique demonstrates the feasibility of using the Comaneci device for augmentation of FDS vessel wall apposition with 100% success in the deployment and retrieval of the Comaneci device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundAcute in situ thrombosis is an ischaemic phenomenon during Pipeline embolisation device (PED) procedures with potentially high morbidity and mortality. There is controversy regarding the role of platelet function testing with P2Y12 assay as a predictor of intraprocedural thromboembolic events. There is limited knowledge on whether procedural complexity influences these events.MethodsData were collected retrospectively on 742 consecutive PED cases at a single institution. Patients with intraprocedural acute thrombosis were compared with patients without these events.ResultsA cohort of 37 PED cases with acute in situ thrombosis (mean age 53.8 years, mean aneurysm size 8.4 mm) was matched with a cohort of 705 PED cases without intraprocedural thromboembolic events (mean age 56.4 years, mean aneurysm size 6.9 mm). All patients with in situ thrombosis received intra-arterial and/or intravenous abciximab. The two groups were evenly matched in patient demographics, previous treatment/subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and aneurysm location. There was no statistical difference in postprocedural P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) values between the two groups, with a mean of 156 in the in situ thrombosis group vs 148 in the control group (p=0.5894). Presence of cervical carotid tortuosity, high cavernous internal carotid artery grade, need for multiple PED and vasospasm were not significantly different between the two groups. The in situ thrombosis group had statistically significant longer fluoroscopy time (60.4 vs 38.4 min, p

Background:The increasing complexity of modern neurointerventions has necessitated a shift in intracranial access techniques towards more robust distal support platforms. Here we present our experience with the Syphontrak Support Catheter (Codman Neuro, Raynham, MA, USA) in the triaxial platform for the implantation of the second-generation Pipeline Flex embolization device (PED Flex; Medtronic Neurovascular, Irvine, CA, USA). Methods:We retrospectively identified patients who underwent PED Flex treatment utilizing the Syphontrak at a single institution. The procedural data collected included parent artery tortuosity, patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, other equipment utilized, and catheter-related complications. Results:A total of 47 consecutive aneurysm flow diversions were successfully performed using the Syphontrak. The patients' age ranged from 25 to 80 years (mean 57.3 ± 11.6) and 85% were women. The average aneurysm size was 4.8 ± 2.7 mm (range 2-14). All cases were in the anterior circulation, with 6 (12%) aneurysms located beyond the internal carotid artery termination. Significant cervical carotid tortuosity was present in 23% (11/47) of the cases and moderate-to-severe cavernous tortuosity (cavernous grade ≥2) in 51% (24/47) of the cases. The mean fluoroscopy time was 36.6 ± 14.8 min. In 12/47 cases (26%), vasospasm prophylaxis with intra-arterial verapamil infusion was performed. The Syphontrak was tracked to the intended distal position in all cases, with a 100% technical success of PED Flex implantation. Forty-six (98%) of the 47 patients were discharged home after an average length of stay of 1.38 days. No iatrogenic catheter-related vessel injury occurred. Transient, minor neurological morbidity occurred in 3 cases (6%) and 1 patient had a minor ischemic event (NIHSS score < 4) in the periprocedural period. Conclusion:The Syphontrak is a new large-bore, multi-durometer intermediate catheter (IC) designed for use in modern neurointerventional procedures. We have shown its utility in 47 successful cases of PED Flex flow diversion of a wide range of complexity. The IC provides robust and atraumatic distal intracranial access while also providing an enhanced image quality with its large 0.060″ inner diameter.

BackgroundThe prevalence of cerebral aneurysms is increased in fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD). The presence of FMD may serve as discouragement to elective endovascular aneurysm treatment. Outcomes of endovascular intervention for aneurysms through vessels affected by FMD have not been reported.MethodsA prospectively maintained database of patients undergoing intracranial embolization was reviewed for patients with FMD who underwent endovascular aneurysm treatment.ResultsA total of 1,025 patients were screened and 31 (3.0%) had cerebrovascular FMD. These patients underwent a total of 43 embolization procedures; 27 of these procedures were performed through an affected vessel. All but 1 patient were female and the average age was 62 years. "String-of-pearls"-type FMD was the most common subtype (90%). The internal carotid arteries were more commonly affected (65%) than the vertebral arteries (48%). All patients underwent treatment of cerebral aneurysms, most of which (87%) were incidentally discovered; 6 patients (19%) also had incidental vessel dissection. The average aneurysm size was 7.1 mm. The morphology was saccular in 93% of the cases, and 86% were in the anterior circulation. The most commonly performed treatment was flow diversion (67%), in the majority of cases by pipeline embolization. Other procedures performed were coiling (19%), stent-coiling (12%), and intrasaccular flow disruption (2%). All but 1 procedure (98%) were successful. There were no major complications; 1 patient experienced a transient ischemic attack. Follow-up angiography was performed in 88% of the cases, without evidence for disease progression after treatment. The average time to last angiographic follow-up was 17 months (±13).ConclusionsElective embolization of intracranial aneurysms can be performed safely through vessels affected by FMD.

BackgroundAn estimated 0.1% of the population harbors brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Diagnosis and workup of AVMs include thorough evaluation for characterization of AVM angioarchitecture and careful assessment for concomitant aneurysms. The presence of coexisting aneurysms is associated with an increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage, with a published risk of 7% per year compared to patients with AVMs alone with a risk of 3%. Comprehensive AVM management requires recognition of concomitant aneurysms and prioritizes treatment strategies to mitigate the aggregate risk of intracranial hemorrhage associated with AVM rupture in patients with coexisting aneurysms. Endovascular treatment of these flow-related aneurysms can offer a cure, while avoiding open surgery. Successful flow-diverting embolization techniques, efficacy, and outcomes have been previously described for a variety of aneurysm types and locations. However, use of a flow diverter has not been previously described for the treatment of high-flow aneurysms on AVM-feeding vessels.Case presentationWe report 2 cases of large AVMs within eloquent cortex associated with flow-related aneurysms in patients presenting initially with suspected intracerebral hemorrhage secondary to AVM rupture.DiscussionNo consensus currently exists to guide treatment of intracranial aneurysms associated with AVMs. Surgical management addressed AVM embolization initially, as the vasculopathology with the highest rupture risk. Subsequently, Pipeline embolization of the associated aneurysms with adequate antiplatelet treatment was performed before scheduled radiosurgery to decrease the risk of AVM rupture or rebleed. This represents a novel and promising use of the Pipeline Embolization Device. Additional cases and longer follow-up will be needed to further assess the efficacy of this technique.

BackgroundFlow diversion with the Pipeline embolization device (PED) is an effective neuro-endovascular method and increasingly accepted for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms. Acute in situ thrombosis is a known complication of PED procedures. There is limited experience in the flow diversion literature on the use of abciximab (ReoPro) for the management of acute thrombus formation in PED cases.MethodsData were collected retrospectively on patients who received intra-arterial (IA) ReoPro with or without subsequent intravenous (IV) infusion during PED flow diversion treatment of intracranial aneurysms.ResultsA total of 30 cases in patients with a mean age of 56.7 years (range 36-84) and a mean aneurysm size of 8.6 mm (range 2-25) were identified to have intraprocedural thromboembolic complications during PED treatment. IA ReoPro was administered in all cases, with 20 cases receiving increments of 5-mg boluses and 10 cases receiving a 0.125 mg/kg IA bolus (half cardiac dosing). Complete or partial recanalization was achieved in 100% of the cases. IV ReoPro infusion at 0.125 μg/kg/min for 12 h was administered postprocedurally in 22 cases with a residual thrombus. Postprocedurally, 18 patients were transitioned from clopidogrel (Plavix) to prasugrel (Effient). The majority of the cases (23/30; 77%) were discharged home. Periprocedural intracranial hemorrhage was noted in 2 cases (7%) and radiographic infarct was noted in 4 cases (13%), with an overall mortality of 0% at the time of initial discharge. Clinical follow-up was available for 28/30 patients. The average duration of follow-up was 11.7 months, at which time 23/28 (82%) of the patients had a modified Rankin Scale score of 0.ConclusionsIA ReoPro administration is an effective and safe rescue strategy for the management of acute intraprocedural thromboembolic complications during PED treatment. Using a dosing strategy of either 5-mg increments or a 0.125 mg/kg IA bolus (half cardiac dosing) can provide high rates of recanalization with low rates of hemorrhagic complications and long-term morbidity.

IntroductionThis study assessed the safety and effectiveness of the Pipeline embolization device (PED) for persistent and recurrent aneurysms previously treated with either a vascular reconstruction device (VRD) or a flow diverter (FD).MethodsA prospective, IRB-approved database was analyzed for patients treated with PED for aneurysms previously treated with a stent.ResultsTwenty procedures were performed on 18 patients, 11 with prior FD, 7 with VRD, and 2 previously treated with both. Overall, 15 aneurysms were saccular (75%), and size was 13.5 ± 7.6 mm. Location was internal carotid artery (ICA) in 14 cases (70%) and posterior circulation in 6 cases (30%). Average prior treatments were 1.7. Previously FD cases were re-treated at an average of 18.1 months from most recent treatment. Each case used 1 device, 82% with distal coverage and 82% with proximal coverage of prior stent. Balloon remodeling was performed in 3 cases (27%) and no in-stent thrombosis was observed. Previously VRD stent-coiled cases were re-treated at an average of 87.5 months. These cases used on average 1.9 devices, 89% with distal and 100% proximal coverage. Adjunctive coiling was performed in 1 case (11%), balloon remodeling in 5 cases (56%), and 2 cases (28%) developed thrombosis that resolved with abciximab. Re-VRD cases were longer (59.1 vs. 33.7 min, p = 0.02) than re-FD. Angiographic follow-up was available for 16 cases (80%). In re-FD, occlusion was complete in 56% and partial progressive in 33% at 17.1 months digital subtraction angiography. In re-VRD, occlusion was complete in 57% and partial progressive in 27% at 8.1 months. Two complications occurred (10%), including one asymptomatic cervical ICA occlusion and one stent occlusion with associated mortality (5%). Clinical follow-up was 17.8 months on average (range 0.5-51.9).ConclusionsSalvage flow diversion for previously stented aneurysms is technically challenging but offers good prospects of aneurysm obliteration with acceptable complication rates.

IntroductionRecent reports suggest that thromboembolic complications are associated with Pipeline embolization device (PED) placement cluster in P2Y12 hyporesponders.ObjectiveTo evaluate the role of P2Y12 hyporesponse in PED placement by retrospectively reviewing a single-center series of patients.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed an institutional review board-approved database of patients with an aneurysm at a single institution and identified all patients with a measured P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU)>200 who had undergone anterior circulation PED placement. Events such as transient ischemic attack, stroke, and hemorrhage were identified as well as demographic and procedural details.ResultsFifty-two patients with a PRU >200 had undergone anterior circulation PED placement. Four patients had prior subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) (8%) and 11 aneurysms (21%) had been previously treated. The average aneurysm size was 7.6 mm (±6.2). PED thrombosis occurred intraprocedurally in three patients, none of whom developed neurological deficits after abciximab administration. Treatment of all patients was successful and 48 procedures (92%) had no complications. One patient had a major stroke (2%) with permanent hemiparesis. There were three minor complications (6%): one minor stroke with a visual field cut, one 10 cc intracranial hemorrhage with transient left lower extremity weakness, and one transient neurological deficit not verified by imaging. No deaths or cases of SAH occurred.ConclusionsP2Y12 hyporesponse (PRU>200) is not associated with increased periprocedural complications in a contemporary series of patients undergoing anterior circulation PED placement. Titration of antiplatelet medications to P2Y12 >200 remains unindicated and may increase the risk of hemorrhagic complications.

This is a case of a high-flow, post-traumatic direct carotid-cavernous fistula with a widened arterial defect and a large-diameter internal carotid artery (ICA). The unique aspect of this case is the oversized ICA, >8mm in diameter, which is both a pathological and a therapeutic challenge, given the lack of available neuroendovascular devices for full vessel reconstruction. We present a planned two-stage embolisation paradigm for definitive treatment. Transarterial coil embolisation is performed as the first stage to disconnect the fistula and normalise flow in the ICA. A 3-month recovery period is then allowed for reduction in carotid diameter. Repair of the large vessel defect and pseudoaneurysm is performed as a second stage in a delayed fashion with a flow-diverting device. Follow-up angiography at 6 months demonstrates obliteration of the fistula and curative ICA reconstruction to a diameter

BackgroundPostsurgical clipping aneurysm recurrences or residuals can be difficult to manage with either traditional open microsurgical approaches or endosaccular coiling. Endoluminal parent vessel reconstruction with flow diversion may be an ideal method for treating these recurrences by avoiding reoperative surgery or intraprocedural aneurysm rupture with aneurysm access.MethodWe retrospectively reviewed a single-center aneurysm database identifying all anterior communicating artery (ACom) region aneurysms with recurrences after microsurgical clipping. Cases subsequently treated with Pipeline embolization device (PED) were identified for analysis.ResultsNine PED neurointerventions were performed for the treatment of 6 ACom region recurrent aneurysms after surgical clipping (ACom, n = 4 and A1-A2 junction, n = 2). Of the 6 aneurysms treated, 4 were previously ruptured. Mean patient age was 59.5 ± 6.9 years (range 50-67 years). Mean aneurysm size was 5.1 ± 2.2 mm (range 3-9 mm). Mean fluoroscopy time was 44.1 ± 12.4 min. A single PED, deployed from ipsilateral A2 to ipsilateral A1, was used in 6 cases. No instances of periprocedural complications were encountered. Angiographic follow-up was available in all aneurysms; 5 of these 6 (83%) demonstrated complete aneurysm occlusion.ConclusionFlow diversion with PED can be a safe and efficacious treatment approach for recurrent ACom region aneurysms after surgical clipping.

Endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysm continues to evolve with the development of new technologies. This review provides an overview of the recent major innovations in the neurointerventional space in recent years.

Loeys-Dietz syndrome is a recently described connective tissue disorder with a natural history of extreme vessel tortuosity and aggressive arterial aneurysm formation and rupture. This is the case of a 23-year-old woman with a large, dysplastic cavernous aneurysm who had successful endovascular treatment by flow diversion with the Pipeline embolisation device. Ten-month follow-up demonstrated complete aneurysm occlusion and curative reconstruction of the parent vessel without evidence of vessel injury or dissection. Endovascular treatment with flow-diverting devices is a valid treatment option and can be performed safely and effectively in this complex patient population.

Flow diverters are increasingly used for the endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms. A rare complication from flow diversion is delayed aneurysm rupture, which can lead to carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) in the setting of cavernous carotid aneurysms (CCAs). Direct CCFs pose unique management challenges, given the lack of transarterial access to the fistula. We present two cases of direct CCFs following treatment of CCAs with the Pipeline embolization device (PED). Case 1 was a middle-aged patient with a symptomatic 10 mm wide-necked left CCA. Six weeks after PED treatment the patient developed diplopia secondary to direct CCF. Case 2 was a middle-aged patient with a symptomatic 17 mm left CCA treated with PED. One-month follow-up angiography demonstrated a direct CCF. Both patients underwent successful coil embolization of the CCF through a transvenous approach. Direct CCF formation following PED deployment for CCA is a rare complication. Parent vessel sacrifice may be avoided with transvenous occlusion of the fistula.

Background To report the 3-year safety and effectiveness of the Surpass Streamline flow diverter in the SCENT trial (Surpass Intracranial Aneurysm Embolization System Pivotal Trial to Treat Large or Giant Wide-Neck Aneurysms). Methods The Surpass Streamline flow diverter device was evaluated in a multicenter, prospective, single-arm, non-randomized interventional trial including patients with uncoilable or previously treated but failed aneurysms of the intracranial internal carotid artery. 3-year outcomes were tabulated with descriptive statistics and compared with 1-year outcomes. Results Of 180 patients in the modified intent-to-treat (mITT) cohort, 36-month clinical and angiographic follow-up was available in 134 and 117 cases, respectively. Effectiveness endpoint of complete aneurysm occlusion without clinically significant stenosis or retreatment was met in 71.8% (79/110, 95% CI 62.4% to 80.0%) of cases. Safety composite endpoint was 12.2% (22/180) over the 3-year period, with two major safety events (ipsilateral ischemic strokes) occurring between 12-36 months. Complete aneurysm occlusion was noted in 77.8% (91/117), and 99.1% (116/117) of the patients demonstrated adequate aneurysm occlusion (complete occlusion or neck residual). There were four cases (2.2%) of aneurysm rupture, all occurring within the first month of the index procedure. Target aneurysm retreatment rate was 2.8% (5/180). Conclusion The present findings support the long-term safety and effectiveness of the Surpass Streamline flow diverter device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]