Dual antiplatelet therapy does not improve outcomes after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage compared with aspirin monotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiology of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) may include platelet activation and microthrombi formation. Antiplatelet therapy may reduce the incidence of DCI and improve clinical outcomes after aSAH. This study compared outcomes among aSAH patients receiving aspirin monotherapy versus dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). METHODS: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients treated at a single institution between November 2011 and December 2017 were divided according to whether they received aspirin monotherapy or DAPT after endovascular treatment. Baseline characteristics and outcomes of the groups were compared, including incidences of delayed cerebral ischemia, bleeding complications, symptomatic vasospasm, in-hospital mortality, and functional status 6 months after discharge. RESULTS: During the study period, 142 patients met study inclusion criteria, of which 123 were treated with aspirin monotherapy (87 %) and 19 were treated with DAPT (13 %). There was no statistically significant difference between the aspirin monotherapy and DAPT groups with respect to incidences of delayed cerebral ischemia (4.9 vs 10.5 %; p = 0.32), symptomatic vasospasm (13.0 vs 15.8 %; p = 0.74), or good clinical outcome at 6-month follow up (73.3 vs 66.7 %; p = 0.56). The DAPT group experienced a higher incidence of in-hospital mortality (21 vs 5.7 %; p = 0.02), but DAPT did not remain independently predictive of this outcome on regression analysis. There was a trend toward a higher bleeding complication rate in the DAPT group (0.8 vs 5.3 %; p = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS: DAPT does not reduce the incidence of DCI or improve outcomes in aSAH patients, and may increase the risk of clinically significant bleeding complications.

Balloon-assisted coiling of cerebral aneurysms with the dual-lumen Scepter XC balloon catheter: Experience at two high-volume centers.

BACKGROUND: The Scepter XC is a dual-lumen balloon catheter that accommodates a 0.014-inch microwire and can be used for balloon-assisted coiling of cerebral aneurysms. We describe our experience with the use of this device. METHODS: Two high-volume institution neurointerventional databases were retrospectively reviewed for cerebral aneurysms treated with balloon-assisted coiling using the Scepter XC balloon catheter. Patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, and procedural details were recorded. Major procedure-related neurologic complications were defined as events that caused an increase in modified Rankin Scale that persisted for more than 1 week after the procedure. Follow-up aneurysm occlusion was assessed using the Raymond-Roy classification. RESULTS: During the study period, 231 aneurysms were treated in 219 patients (152 women, 67 men) with a mean age of 58.4 ± 12.2 years. Mean aneurysm size was 6.1 ± 3.1 mm, with a mean neck diameter of 3.1 ± 1.3 mm. In total, 77.5% of aneurysms were wide necked, and 39.8% were treated in the setting of subarachnoid hemorrhage. The major complication rate was 0.9% (2/231) per treated aneurysm, including one stroke and one death related to intraoperative aneurysm rupture. Excluding patients who died, angiographic follow up was available for 85.3% (191/224) of aneurysms. During a mean follow up of 17.4 ± 13.0 months (range, 1.7-66.5 months), Raymond-Roy 1 and 2 occlusion rates were 56.5% (108/191) and 35.6% (68/191), respectively. The retreatment rate was 12.6% (24/191). CONCLUSION: Our experience using the coaxial dual-lumen Scepter XC for balloon-assisted coiling demonstrates acceptable aneurysm occlusion and complication rates.

Endovascular Treatment of Wide-Necked Intracranial Aneurysms with the Scepter XC Balloon Catheter, with Low-Profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS) Jr. Deployment as a "Bailout" Technique.

BACKGROUND: The Scepter XC balloon catheter can be used for balloon-assisted coiling (BAC) of cerebral aneurysms but also accommodates delivery of a low-profile visible intraluminal stent (LVIS Jr.). We assessed the safety and effectiveness of BAC using the Scepter XC, with LVIS Jr. stent-assisted coiling (SAC) as a bailout option. METHODS: A single-institution prospectively maintained neurointerventional database was reviewed for wide-necked (neck width ≥4 mm or dome/neck ratio <2) saccular aneurysms treated using the Scepter XC. Complication and angiographic occlusion rates of BAC and SAC procedures were compared. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify variables predictive of complete aneurysm occlusion. RESULTS: The cohort included 141 wide-necked saccular intracranial aneurysms treated in 135 procedures. SAC was used to treat 30% of aneurysms by deploying the LVIS Jr. through the Scepter XC. The overall procedural complication rate was 8.9%, including a 1.5% rate of symptomatic thromboembolic events and 3.0% rate of hemorrhagic complications, with no significant differences in complications between BAC and SAC procedures (P = 0.27). The overall complete or near-complete aneurysm occlusion rate was 96%, with trends toward higher complete aneurysm occlusion and lower retreatment rates with SAC (78 vs. 57%; P = 0.13; 0 vs. 8.4%, P = 0.13). Multivariate logistic regression identified aneurysm size, procedure technique (BAC or SAC), and duration of follow-up as independent predictors of complete aneurysm occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the Scepter XC for BAC, with LVIS Jr. SAC as a bailout option, shows acceptable angiographic and clinical results.

Pipeline Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms Is Safe and Effective in Patients with Cutaneous Metal Allergy.

BACKGROUND: The Pipeline embolization device (PED) has expanded the range of aneurysms amenable to endovascular treatment, including some that were previously untreatable. The PED contains several metals, including nickel, cobalt, chromium, platinum, and tungsten. The safety of PED implantation in patients with cutaneous metal allergy is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess clinical and angiographic outcomes of PED treatment in patients with cutaneous metal allergy. METHODS: A single-institution neurointerventional database was retrospectively reviewed for patients with documented cutaneous metal allergy who were treated with the PED. Patient, aneurysm, and procedural data were collected, including perioperative and delayed complications. Posttreatment angiograms were reviewed for in-Pipeline stenosis and aneurysm occlusion. RESULTS: Twenty patients with metal allergy underwent 23 PED treatments for 26 aneurysms. The cohort was 95% (19/20) female; mean age was 55.7 years. Aneurysms were primarily anterior circulation (92%, 24/26) and saccular (92%; 24/26); mean size was 8.8 mm (range, 2-32 mm). One PED was implanted in 70% (14/20) of patients, 25% (5/20) had 2 devices placed, and 1 patient had 3 devices. One major procedural complication occurred (4.3%, 1/23) in which a stroke was caused by perioperative PED thrombosis. Angiographic follow-up was available for all patients (mean duration 15.7 months; range, 6-64 months), which demonstrated a complete aneurysm occlusion rate of 88% (23/26). Asymptomatic in-Pipeline stenosis occurred in 2 cases, resulting in 65% and 50% parent artery stenosis, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results suggest that PED implantation in patients with cutaneous metal allergy is safe and effective.

Clinical and angiographic outcomes in patients with intracranial aneurysms treated with the pipeline embolization device: intra-procedural technical difficulties, major morbidity, and neurological mortality decrease significantly with increased operator experience in device deployment and patient management.

PURPOSE: Flow diversion constitutes a pivotal advancement in endovascular intracranial aneurysm treatment, but requires development of a new skill set. The aim of this study is to determine whether outcomes after treatment with the Pipeline Embolization Device improve with experience. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients with intracranial aneurysms treated with Pipeline at two centers over a 4.5-year period. Baseline patient and aneurysm characteristics, complications, and angiographic outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred forty patients underwent 150 Pipeline procedures to treat 167 intracranial aneurysms during the study period, 109 women, mean age 55.4 years. One hundred twenty-six aneurysms were ICA, mean size 10.2 mm and mean neck 6.4 mm. Intra-procedural technical difficulties were higher during the first 75 procedures compared with the subsequent 75 (13.3 vs 2.7%; p = 0.03), as combined major morbidity and neurological mortality (14.7 vs 4%; p = 0.046). In multivariate regression analysis, increased operator experience with Pipeline remained an independent predictor of intra-procedural technical difficulties (p = 0.02, odds ratio (OR) 0.015, 95% CI 0.0004-0.55) and combined major morbidity and neurological mortality (p = 0.03, OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.03-0.84). At last follow-up, 123 aneurysms were completely occluded (81.5%, mean 24 months). In our cohort, age ≤ 53 years was an independent predictor of complete aneurysm occlusion at last follow-up (p = 0.001, OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.88-0.97). Five aneurysms were retreated (3.3%). CONCLUSION: The Pipeline embolization device is an effective treatment for intracranial aneurysms. The risk of intra-procedural technical difficulties and combined major morbidity and neurological mortality decreases significantly with increased operator experience in Pipeline deployment and patient management.

Efficacy of a two-test protocol for achieving a therapeutic response to clopidogrel prior to elective endovascular intracranial aneurysm treatment and an 'induced' postoperative hyper-response.

INTRODUCTION: Variable response to clopidogrel can impact perioperative risk in elective endovascular intracranial aneurysm treatment. The present study aims to determine the efficacy of a two-test protocol in reaching in-range preoperative P2Y12 reaction units (PRU) of 60-240 and the rate of postoperative conversion to hyper-response. METHODS: A 17-day two-test protocol (with tests on days 10 and 17) for patients starting clopidogrel in anticipation of elective endovascular intracranial aneurysm treatment was introduced in February 2013 at our institution. Records for patients started on this protocol through December 2014 were reviewed for preoperative and postoperative PRUs, patient and procedural data, and thromboembolic and hemorrhagic events within 30 days. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of postoperative hyper-response (p<0.05 considered significant). RESULTS: 103 patients (80 women) of mean age 57 years were included. 74 patients (71.8%) were in range at the first test and 92 patients (89.3%) were in range at the second test. A postoperative test was performed in 82 patients (79.6%) at a median of 9 days. 51 patients (62.2%) converted into hyper-responders. There were five non-disabling strokes and one intracranial hemorrhage within 30 days. There were no major strokes (modified Rankin Scale score >2) or deaths. There was no association between out-of-range PRU and thromboembolic or hemorrhagic neurological complications. CONCLUSIONS: The protocol achieves in-range preoperative PRU by the second test in almost nine of 10 patients. Nearly two-thirds of patients exhibited postoperative hyper-response to clopidogrel. Out-of-range PRU was not associated with thromboembolic or hemorrhagic neurological complications in this cohort of patients with actively managed P2Y12 inhibition.

Incidence of delayed ipsilateral intraparenchymal hemorrhage after stent-assisted coiling of intracranial aneurysms in a high-volume single center.

INTRODUCTION: Delayed ipsilateral intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH) has been reported following technically successful treatment of intracranial aneurysms using flow-diverting stents in up to 8.5% of patients. We report a similar, though less frequent phenomenon in the setting of stent-assisted coil embolization. METHODS: Institutional review board approval was obtained. A retrospective analysis of a prospective neurointerventional procedure registry was performed to review all IPHs that occurred in aneurysm patients within 90 days of endovascular treatment performed between November 2002 and November 2014 at one institution. Age, sex, hypertension, dual antiplatelet therapy, and technical details of the procedure were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 1697 patients underwent endovascular treatment of an intracranial aneurysm without a flow diverter at our institution during the study period. Among these, 138 patients underwent stent-assisted coiling (8.1%). Of these, three patients (2.2%) suffered a delayed IPH within the vascular territory distal to the treated lesion (one woman, median age 60 years). CONCLUSIONS: Recently described in the setting of flow diversion, delayed ipsilateral IPH is not limited to flow-diverting stents. Though less frequent, a potential for this complication may exist following any intracranial stenting procedure, possibly related to hemorrhagic conversion of microembolic phenomena in the setting of dual antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy.

Comparison of clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic strokes treated with mechanical thrombectomy using either Solumbra or ADAPT techniques.

PURPOSE: To compare rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) and good clinical outcome at 90 days in patients with ischemic strokes from anterior circulation emergent large vessel occlusions (ELVO) treated with mechanical thrombectomy using either Solumbra or A Direct Aspiration first-Pass Thrombectomy (ADAPT) techniques. METHODS: We compared clinical characteristics, procedural variables, and clinical outcomes in patients with anterior circulation ELVOs treated with mechanical thrombectomy using either a Solumbra or ADAPT technique at our institution over a 38-month period. SICH was defined using the SITS-MOST criteria. A good clinical outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2 at 90 days. RESULTS: One hundred patients were included, 55 in the Solumbra group and 45 in the ADAPT group. Patients in the ADAPT group had higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) (19.2 vs 16.8, p=0.02) and a higher proportion of internal carotid artery terminus thrombi (42.2% vs 20%, p=0.03) than patients in the Solumbra group. Patients in the ADAPT group had a trend toward a lower rate of SICH than patients in the Solumbra group (2.2% vs 12.7%, p=0.07). Patients in the ADAPT group had a significantly higher rate of good clinical outcome at 90 days than patients in the Solumbra group (55.6% vs 30.9%, p=0.015). Use of the ADAPT technique (OR 6 (95% CI 1.0 to 31.2), p=0.049) was an independent predictor of a good clinical outcome at 90 days in our cohort. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort, the ADAPT technique was associated with significantly higher good clinical outcomes at 90 days in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to anterior circulation ELVOs treated with mechanical thrombectomy.

Endovascular treatment of 346 middle cerebral artery aneurysms: results of a 16-year single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: The endovascular treatment of middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms has been controversial because of the frequency of complex anatomy and the relative ease of surgical clipping in this location. OBJECTIVE: To present a large single-center experience with the endovascular treatment of MCA aneurysms. METHODS: The neurointerventional database at our institution was reviewed for all endovascular treatments of MCA aneurysms. Demographics, aneurysm characteristics, treatment modality, intraprocedural hemorrhagic and thromboembolic events, 30-day neurological events, and follow-up angiographic studies were recorded. RESULTS: From December 1996 to April 2013, 292 patients underwent endovascular treatment of 346 MCA aneurysms. Of these, 341 (98.6%) were successfully completed. Balloon neck remodeling was used in 230 procedures (66.5%). Ninety-five procedures (27.4%) were for ruptured aneurysms. The rate of intraprocedural hemorrhage was 2.6% (9 of 346). The overall rate of intraprocedural thromboembolic events was 13.6% (47 of 346), significantly more common in patients with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (27.4%; P < .001). The 30-day major (modified Rankin Scale score > 2) neurological event rate was 2.9% (10 of 346), significantly more common in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (8.4%) compared with those without (0.8%; P < .001). The rate of complete or near-complete aneurysm occlusion at was 90.6% ≥ 6 months and 91.8% at ≥ 2 years, with an average of 24 months of follow-up available for 247 procedures. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment of MCA aneurysms can be safe and effective. However, it is associated with a high asymptomatic thromboembolic event rate that is more frequent in the setting of acute subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Successful endovascular treatment of three fusiform cerebral aneurysms with the Pipeline Embolization Device in a patient with dilating HIV vasculopathy.

Dilating HIV vasculopathy can be a cause of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in patients with HIV. Although first identified in children, this condition is increasingly being recognized in adults and has a dismal natural history under medical or expectant management. Vessel wall invasion by varicella zoster virus, HIV or Mycobacterium avium intracellulare complex (MAI) has been postulated as a possible etiology. We present a case of an adult patient with HIV and chronic disseminated MAI infection who presented with ischemic stroke and three fusiform cerebral aneurysms that were successfully treated with the pipeline embolization device (PED). Flow diversion may be a viable treatment option for patients presenting with this serious neurovascular condition when aneurysm location precludes parent vessel sacrifice or surgical bypass. In addition, platelet function testing with VerifyNow may be valuable in selecting the appropriate P2Y12 receptor antagonist to be used in order to prevent PED thrombosis, since some of the antiretroviral drugs may inhibit clopidogrel or prasugrel metabolism.

Diagnostic yield of delayed neurovascular imaging in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, negative initial CT and catheter angiograms, and a negative 7 day repeat catheter angiogram.

PURPOSE: The yield of delayed neurovascular imaging in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), negative initial CT and catheter angiograms (CT angiography (CTA), DSA), and negative 7 day repeat DSA is not well understood. Our aim was to determine the yield of delayed neurovascular imaging for the detection of causative vascular lesions in this clinical scenario. METHODS: We retrospectively examined the yield of delayed CTA and DSA for the detection of causative vascular lesions in patients presenting to our institution with SAH, negative initial CTA and DSA examinations, and a negative 7 day repeat DSA during a 6.5 year period. Two neuroradiologists evaluated the non-contrast CTs to determine the SAH pattern, and the delayed CTAs and DSAs to assess for the presence of a causative vascular lesion. RESULTS: 39 patients were included: 23 men (59%) and 16 women (41%), mean age 55.5 years (range 33-75). 25 patients had diffuse SAH (64.1%), 12 had perimesencephalic SAH (30.8%), and two had peripheral sulcal SAH (5.1%). The delayed neurovascular examination was CTA in 30 patients (76.9%) and DSA in nine patients (23.1%). Mean time to delayed CTA or DSA was 34.9 days (median 34, range 14-69 days). Delayed CTA demonstrated a causative vascular lesion in two patients (5.1%, one small internal carotid artery aneurysm and one small pontine arteriovenous malformation), both with diffuse SAH (yield 8%). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed neurovascular imaging is valuable in the evaluation of patients with diffuse SAH who have negative initial CTA and DSA examinations and a negative 7 day repeat DSA, demonstrating a causative vascular lesion in 8% of patients.

Variability in initial response to standard clopidogrel therapy, delayed conversion to clopidogrel hyper-response, and associated thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications in patients undergoing endovascular treatment of unruptured cerebral aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Variability in response to clopidogrel therapy is increasingly being recognized as an important factor in thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications encountered after neurointerventional procedures. This study aims to determine the variability in response to clopidogrel therapy and associated complications in patients undergoing endovascular treatment of unruptured cerebral aneurysms. METHODS: We recorded baseline patient characteristics, co-administered medications, P2Y12 reaction units (PRU) values with VerifyNow, clopidogrel dosing, and thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications in patients undergoing endovascular treatment of unruptured cerebral aneurysms at our institution during a 19 month period. RESULTS: 100 patients were included in the study, 76 women and 24 men, mean age 57.3 years. 15 patients exhibited an initial clopidogrel hypo-response (PRU >240) and 21 patients an initial clopidogrel hyper-response (PRU <60). 36 patients had a follow-up VerifyNow test performed without changes to the standard 75 mg daily clopidogrel dose, which demonstrated that 59% of patients who had initially been within the target 60-240 PRU range exhibited a delayed conversion to clopidogrel hyper-response. In our cohort, a clopidogrel hypo-response was associated with a significantly increased risk of thromboembolic complications in patients undergoing cerebral aneurysm treatment with stent assistance or the pipeline embolization device (60%, p=0.003), while a clopidogrel hyper-response was associated with a significantly increased risk of major hemorrhagic complications in all patients undergoing endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms (11%, p=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: We found wide and dynamic variability in response to clopidogrel therapy in patients undergoing endovascular treatment of unruptured cerebral aneurysms, which was significantly associated with thromboembolic and major hemorrhagic complications in our cohort.

Successful endovascular treatment of three fusiform cerebral aneurysms with the Pipeline Embolization Device in a patient with dilating HIV vasculopathy.

Dilating HIV vasculopathy can be a cause of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in patients with HIV. Although first identified in children, this condition is increasingly being recognized in adults and has a dismal natural history under medical or expectant management. Vessel wall invasion by varicella zoster virus, HIV or Mycobacterium avium intracellulare complex (MAI) has been postulated as a possible etiology. We present a case of an adult patient with HIV and chronic disseminated MAI infection who presented with ischemic stroke and three fusiform cerebral aneurysms that were successfully treated with the pipeline embolization device (PED). Flow diversion may be a viable treatment option for patients presenting with this serious neurovascular condition when aneurysm location precludes parent vessel sacrifice or surgical bypass. In addition, platelet function testing with VerifyNow may be valuable in selecting the appropriate P2Y12 receptor antagonist to be used in order to prevent PED thrombosis, since some of the antiretroviral drugs may inhibit clopidogrel or prasugrel metabolism.

Pre-procedure P2Y12 reaction units value predicts perioperative thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications in patients with cerebral aneurysms treated with the Pipeline Embolization Device.

BACKGROUND: There is wide variability in the reported incidence of perioperative thromboembolic (0-14%) and hemorrhagic (0-11%) complications after Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) procedures for cerebral aneurysm treatment, which could be partly due to differences in patient response to the P2Y12 receptor antagonist administered while the PED endothelializes. This study aims to identify an optimal pre-procedure P2Y12 reaction units (PRU) value range and determine the independent predictors of perioperative thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications after PED procedures. METHODS: We recorded patient and aneurysm characteristics, P2Y12 receptor antagonist administered, pre-procedure PRU value with VerifyNow, procedural variables and perioperative thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications up to postoperative day 30 after PED procedures at our institution during an 8-month period. Perioperative complications were considered major if they caused a permanent disabling neurological deficit or death. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of perioperative complications in our cohort. RESULTS: Forty-four patients underwent 48 PED procedures at our institution during the study period. There were eight thromboembolic and hemorrhagic perioperative complications in our cohort (16.7%), four of which were major (8.3%). A pre-procedure PRU value of <60 or >240 (p=0.02) and a technically difficult procedure (p=0.04) were independent predictors of all perioperative complications. A pre-procedure PRU value of <60 or >240 (p=0.004) and a history of hypertension (p=0.03) were independent predictors of major perioperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort, a pre-procedure PRU value of <60 or >240 was the strongest independent predictor of all and major perioperative thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications after PED procedures.