Tumor-associated macrophage-derived exosomal microRNA-155-5p stimulates intracranial aneurysm formation and macrophage infiltration.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a regulatory role in inflammation and cancer. Exosomes derived from macrophages carrying microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are of great value for cancer therapy. Gremlin 1 (GREM1), a member of the antagonists of secreted bone morphogenetic protein, has been implicated in the pathophysiology of multiple diseases or cancers. Based on the predictions of miRNA-mRNA interaction, GREM1 was found to be a target gene of miR-155-5p. Here, the present study aims to explore the role of TAM-derived exosomal miR-155-5p by regulating GREM1 in intracranial aneurysm (IA). The collected results showed that GREM1 was down-regulated in IA, while miR-155-5p was up-regulated in TAM-derived exosomes. Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were co-cultured with TAMs or exposed to exosomes derived from TAMs transfected with either miR-155-5p mimic or miR-155-5p inhibitor for exploring their roles in proliferation and migration of SMCs in vitro. Accordingly, in vitro experiments showed that TAM-derived exosomal miR-155-5p could promote proliferation and migration of SMCs by targeting GREM1. The effects of TAM-derived exosomal miR-155-5p on IA formation and TAM activation and infiltration by regulation of GREM1 in vivo were measured in IA rats injected with exosomes or those from TAMs transfected with miR-155-5p inhibitor. In vivo experimental results consistently confirmed that TAM-derived exosomes carrying miR-155-5p promoted IA formation and TAM activation and infiltration. In conclusion, TAM-derived exosomal miR-155-5p promotes IA formation via GREM1, which points to miR-155-5p as a possible therapeutic target for IA.

Enterprise stent for the treatment of symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis: an initial experience of 44 patients.

BACKGROUND: Wingspan stenting for the treatment of complex intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS), i.e., that involving tortuous vascular pathways, long (>15 mm) lesions or arterial bifurcations, has a relatively high risk of complications. This retrospective study assessed the safety and efficacy of undersized balloon angioplasty followed by deployment of the more flexible Enterprise stent for the treatment of complex symptomatic ICAS. METHODS: Forty-four patients on combined antiplatelet therapy and intensive risk factor management and a symptomatic 70-99% stenosis of a major intracranial artery in complex settings that was treated with balloon angioplasty and Enterprise stent deployment between July 2009 and August 2013 were enrolled. Primary outcome was occurrence of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke or death within 30 days after intervention. Secondary outcomes included procedural success (defined as achievement of <50% immediate residual stenosis), and follow-up clinical and angiographic outcomes. RESULTS: With a procedural success rate of 100%, stenosis was reduced from 79.3 ± 8.1-14.9 ± 2.3%. Three (6.8%) ischemic and 1 (2.2%) hemorrhagic strokes occurred during the periprocedural period, with no further transient ischemic attacks or strokes in the 42 patients available at median 25.6 (range, 12-57) months follow-up. Of the 38 (86.4%) patients who underwent angiographic follow-up, 3 (6.81%) developed >50% in-stent restenosis after mean 22 months follow-up. CONCLUSION: In this retrospective, single-center experience, undersized balloon angioplasty followed by Enterprise stent deployment appears technically feasible with a relatively low rate of complications for the treatment of complex symptomatic ICAS. Prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trials against optimal medical management are warranted.

Endovascular Treatment of Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysm with the LVIS Junior Stent.

BACKGROUND: Middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms often occur in small parent vessels and are incorporated with the orifice of acute-angled efferent branch vessels. Endovascular treatment for these aneurysms remains technically challenging. This study aimed to assess the clinical safety and efficacy of the Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support Junior (LVIS Jr) stent for embolization of MCA aneurysms. METHODS: Eighteen intracranial aneurysms, including 13 unruptured and 5 ruptured aneurysms, were treated with LVIS Jr stent-assisted coil embolization. The clinical data and technical results are presented. RESULTS: A total of 18 stents were successfully delivered to the target aneurysms, and the technical success rate was 100%. There was complete occlusion in 8 (44.4%) of 18 cases, neck remnants in 7 (38.9%) cases, and partial occlusion in 3 (16.7%) cases. In-stent thrombosis occurred in 1 case, and the symptoms disappeared after transvenous tirofiban injection. The modified Rankin Scale score at discharge was 0 in 14 patients, 1 in 3 patients, and 2 in 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: The LVIS Jr stent provided excellent trackability and deliverability and is safe and effective for the treatment of wide-necked MCA aneurysms with tortuous and smaller parent vessels.

Gekko Coil System for Intracranial Aneurysms Treatment in China (GREAT-China): A Prospective Randomized Controlled Open-Label Noninferiority Trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Gekko coil system in treating intracranial aneurysms (IAs) in clinical practice. METHODS: A prospective multicenter randomized open-label parallel positive control noninferiority trial was conducted by 11 centers in China. Patients with a target IA were randomized 1:1 to coiling with either Gekko or Axium coils. The primary outcome was successful aneurysm occlusion at 6 months postoperative follow-up, whereas the secondary outcomes included the successful occlusion aneurysm rate in the immediate postoperative period, recanalization rate at the 6 months follow-up, and technical success and security. RESULTS: Between May 2018 and September 2020, 256 patients were enrolled and randomized. Per-protocol analysis showed that the successful aneurysm occlusion rate at 6 months was 96.08% for the Gekko coil group compared with 96.12% in the Axium coil group, with a difference of -0.04% (P = 0.877). The successful immediate aneurysm occlusion rates were 86.00% and 77.45% in the Gekko coil group and the Axium coil group, respectively, showing no significant difference between the 2 groups (P = 0.116), whereas the recanalization rates during the 6 months follow-up were 2.02% and 1.96% in the Gekko and Axium coil groups, respectively, which was not statistically significant (P = 1.000). CONCLUSIONS: This trial showed that the Gekko coil system was noninferior to the Axium coil system in terms of efficacy and safety for IA embolization. In clinical practice, the Gekko coil system can be considered safe and effective for treating patients with IA.

The Role of PGK1 in Promoting Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury-Induced Microglial M1 Polarization and Inflammation by Regulating Glycolysis.

Stroke is a leading cause of death, with a continuously increasing incidence. As a metabolic process that catabolizes glucose pyruvate and provides adenosine triphosphate (ATP), glycolysis plays a crucial role in different diseases. Phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) facilitates energy production with biosynthesis in many diseases, including stroke. However, the exact role of PGK1/glycolysis in stroke remains to be elucidated. A rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was used to mimic ischemia/reperfusion injuries. Oxygen glucose deprivation/re-oxygenation (OGD/R) was used to induce injury to highly aggressively proliferating immortalized (HAPI) rat microglial cells. The extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) was determined using an XFe24 Extracellular Flux Analyzer. ATP, lactate dehydrogenase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 levels were measured using commercial kits. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay was performed to examine the interaction between H3K27ac or p300 and the PGK1 promoter region. PGK1 was either knocked down or overexpressed by lentivirus. Thus, to examine its role in stroke, real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting were used to measure gene expression. The expression of PGK1 was increased and associated with M1 polarization and glycolysis in MCAO rat models. OGD/R promoted M1 polarization and HAPI microglial cell inflammation by regulating glycolysis. Silencing PGK1 reduced OGD/R-increased M1 polarization, inflammation, and glycolysis. Conversely, the overexpression of PGK1 promoted HAPI microglial cell inflammation by regulating glycolysis. The mechanism showed that histone acetyltransferase p300 promoted PGK1 expression through H3K27 acetylation. Finally, data indicated that silencing PGK1 inhibited microglia M1 polarization, inflammation, and glycolysis in MCAO rat models. PGK1 could promote ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced microglial M1 polarization and inflammation by regulating glycolysis, which might provide a novel direction in developing new therapeutic medications for preventing or treating stroke.

Predictors of Perioperative Complications During Leo Baby Stent Treatment for Acutely Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms: A Retrospective Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Stent-assisted coiling (SAC) of acutely ruptured aneurysms has been controversial. Moreover, for aneurysms originating from small diameter vessels, the SAC presents more challenges. This study aimed to investigate the predictors of perioperative complications after SAC with Leo baby stent of acutely ruptured aneurysms. METHODS: We performed a retrospective multicenter analysis of 425 patients with acutely ruptured aneurysms treated with Leo baby. We compared clinical characteristics and outcomes among patients with perioperative complications and those without. Subgroup analysis, including thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications, was also performed. RESULTS: Immediate postoperative angiograms showed Raymond 1 in 357 aneurysms (84.2%), 2 in 53 (12.5%), and 3 in 14 (3.3%). A total of 372 patients (87.5%) were independent (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] score 0-2) at discharge. Perioperative complications occurred in 18 cases (4.2%) harboring 13 cases (3.1%) of thromboembolic complications and 5 cases (1.2%) of hemorrhagic complications. Patients with perioperative complications had a higher rate of unfavorable outcomes at discharge (P = .018), especially with thromboembolic complications (P = .043). Multivariate analysis showed that higher preoperative mRS score (P = .004), irregular shape (P = .017), and larger aneurysms (P = .049) were independent predictors of the overall complications, whereas higher preoperative mRS score (P = .022) was an independent predictor for ischemic complications. The follow-up angiogram was available for 245 patients, and the follow-up angiograms revealed Raymond 1 in 223 aneurysms (91.0%), 2 in 19 (7.8%), and 3 in 3 (1.2%). CONCLUSION: Worse clinical condition, irregular shape, and larger aneurysms were independently associated with overall complications, whereas worse clinical condition was viewed as an independent predictor for thromboembolic complications. Attention to these factors is essential for the safe treatment and prognosis of patients with acutely ruptured aneurysms.

Predictors of recurrence and complications for the endovascular treatment of unruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm: A high-volume center experience over 12 years.

OBJECT: To assess the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment (EVT) of unruptured middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms in a retrospective cohort in a high-volume center. Predictors of complications and recurrence were determined. METHODS: Retrospectively reviewed our database of prospectively collected information for all patients with unruptured MCA aneurysms that were treated by endovascular approach from March 2008 to December 2020. A multivariate analysis was conducted to identify predictors of complications and recurrence. RESULTS: Three hundred and fifty-one patients with 370 unruptured MCA aneurysms underwent EVT were included in this study. Seventy-three aneurysms (19.7%) were treated by coiling without stent, 297 (80.3%) with stent-assisted coiling. The procedures were performed with a technical success rate of 100%. Procedure-related neurological complications occurred in 15 patients (4.1%), including 1 patient died from post-procedural stent thrombosis. Age ≥ 65 years (P = 0.039; OR = 3.400; 95% CI, 1.065-10.860) and aneurysm size ≥ 5 mm (P = 0.009; OR = 15.524; 95% CI, 1.988-121.228) were significantly associated with ischemic complications of EVT. Three hundred and six aneurysms were (87.2%) completed image follow-up (235 DSA and 71 CE-MRA). The median angiographic follow-up time were 7.0 ± 4.3 months (range from 1 to 88 months). Follow-up angiograms showed that 249 aneurysms (81.4%) were completed occluded, 29 aneurysms (9.5%) were improved, 17 aneurysms (5.6%) were stable, and 11 aneurysms (3.6%) were recanalized and 10 of them accepted retreatments. Aneurysm size ≥ 10 mm was a predictor of recanalization (P = 0.004; OR = 11.213; 95% CI, 2.127-59.098) and stent-assisted coiling can significantly reduce recanalization (P = 0.004; OR = 0.105; 95% CI, 0.023-0.479). CONCLUSIONS: EVT is a safe and effective therapeutics for unruptured MCA aneurysms management, and provides durable aneurysm occlusion rate during follow-up. Large MCA aneurysms have higher recurrence and ischemic complications risk after EVT. Stent-assisted coiling can significantly reduce the recurrence rate without increasing the risk of complications.

Staged stenting strategy of acutely wide-neck ruptured intracranial aneurysms: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

Objective: In the study, we explored the safety and effectiveness of staged stenting strategy for acutely wide-neck ruptured intracranial aneurysms. Methods: Online databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane database, and Web of Science, were retrospectively and systematically searched. The main observation indicators were the procedure-related complication rate, complete occlusion rate, and favorable clinical outcome. Meta-analysis was performed using a random or fixed effect model based on heterogeneity. Results: A total of 5 studies with 143 patients were included. The hemorrhagic complication rate of the initial coiling and staged stenting was 2.8% (4 of 143) and 0, respectively. The ischemic complication rate of the coiling and supplemental stenting was 3.5% (5 of 143) and 2.9% (4 of 139), respectively. There were no deaths due to procedure-related complications in two stages. The aneurysm complete occlusion rate was 25% (95% CI, 0.13-0.03; I2 = 4.4%; P = 0.168) after initial coiling, 54% (95% CI, 0.63-0.64; I2 = 0%; P = 0.872) after staged stenting, and 74% (95% CI, 0.66-0.81; I2 = 56.4%; P = 0.562) at follow-up, respectively. Favorable clinical outcome rate 74% (95% CI, 0.61-0.86; I2 = 50.5%; P = 0.133) after discharge of initial coiling treatment, and 86% (95% CI, 0.80-0.92; I2 = 0; P = 0.410) after discharge from stenting, and 97% (95% CI, 0.93-1.01; I2 = 43.8%; P = 0.130) at follow-up. Conclusion: Staged stenting treatment of wide-neck RIA with coiling in the acute phase followed by delayed regular stent or flow-diverter stent had high aneurysm occlusion rate, favorable clinical outcome rate and low procedure-related complication rate. A more dedicated and well-designed controlled study is warranted for further evaluation of staged stenting treatment compared to SCA in wide-neck RIA.

Preliminary experience with recanalization of large vessel occlusion due to underlying long-segment dissection using a standby microwire technique.

Purpose: This study aimed at investigating a novel standby microwire technique to facilitate revascularization of large vessel occlusion due to underlying long-segment dissection. Methods: Patients with acute ischemic stroke with emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) due to underlying long-segment dissection were screened from the prospectively established database between January 2021 and May 2022. The clinical and radiological data of eligible patients who underwent endovascular treatment by using a standby microwire technique were investigated. Results: Of the 165 acute ischemic stroke patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy, the standby microwire technique was used in five patients aged 33-55 years old with occlusion due to underlying long-segment dissection. Of them, three patients were diagnosed with tandem lesions and three were located at the anterior circulation. A 300 cm exchange microwire was used as the standby microwire. Stent deployment was performed in all five patients. Groin puncture to reperfusion time ranged from 10-68 min. Technical success and favorable clinical outcomes were achieved in all five patients (100%). No technique-related complication was observed. Conclusion: Our preliminary experience showed that the standby microwire technique was a useful ancillary approach to facilitate the revascularization of large vessel occlusion due to underlying long-segment dissection.

Low profile visualized intraluminal support stent-assisted Hydrocoil embolization for acutely ruptured wide-necked intracranial aneurysms: A propensity score-matched cohort study.

PURPOSE: To compare the safety and efficacy of low profile visualized intraluminal support (LVIS) stent-assisted hydrogel coil embolization and LVIS stent-assisted bare platinum coil embolization for acutely ruptured wide-necked intracranial. METHODS: 89 patients who underwent LVIS stent-assisted hydrogel coil embolization (hydrogel coil group) and 145 patients who underwent LVIS stent-assisted bare platinum coil embolization (platinum coil group) were retrospectively reviewed after 1:2 propensity score matching (PSM). Procedure-related complications, clinical and angiographic follow-up outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: All baseline characteristics were equivalent between hydrogel coil group and platinum coil group after PSM. There were no statistical differences in immediate postoperative embolization results, clinical and angiographic follow-up outcomes between the two groups (P = 0.514, P = 0.323 and P = 0.949, respectively). Intraprocedural aneurysm rupture, intraprocedural thrombosis and postprocedural thrombosis occurred in 2 patients (2.2%, 2/89), 1 patient (1.1%, 1/89) and 1 patient (1.1%, 1/89) of the hydrogel coil group compared with 1 patient (0.7%, 1/145), 1 patient (0.7%, 1/145) and 2 patients (1.4%, 2/145) of the platinum coil group, respectively (P = 0.559, P = 1.000 and P = 1.000). Nevertheless, the rate of postprocedural aneurysm early rebleeding in the hydrogel coil group was significantly lower than that in the platinum coil group (0.0% vs 4.8%, P = 0.046). CONCLUSION: LVIS stent-assisted hydrogel coil embolization may reduce the risk of aneurysm early rebleeding compared with LVIS stent-assisted bare platinum coil embolization for the treatment of acutely ruptured wide-necked intracranial aneurysms, which implies that hydrogel coil may improve the safety of stent placement for ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Comparison of Low-Profiled Visualized Intraluminal Support Stent-Assisted Coiling and Coiling Only for Acutely Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms: Safety and Efficacy Based on a Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Low-profiled visualized intraluminal support (LVIS) is suggested as a promising stent for complex intracranial aneurysms. However, the safety and efficacy of LVIS-assisted coiling of acutely ruptured wide-necked intracranial aneurysms have not been well reported. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of LVIS-assisted coiling of acutely ruptured wide-necked intracranial aneurysms compared with contemporary coiling-only strategy via propensity score matching in a high-volume center. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with acutely ruptured intracranial aneurysms who underwent LVIS stent placement or coiling only from November 2013 to October 2017 was performed. Perioperative procedure-related complications and clinical and angiographic follow-up outcomes were compared. RESULTS: All baseline characteristics were equivalent between the 2 groups except for neck size. The immediate angiographic results, procedure-related complications, procedure-related mortality, and clinical outcomes between the 2 groups demonstrated no significant differences (P = .087, P = .207, P = .685, and P = .865, respectively). The angiographic follow-up outcomes of the LVIS-assisted coiling group showed a significantly higher complete occlusion rate and lower recurrence rate compared with the coiling-only group (92.3% vs 59.9%, 4.8% vs 26.1%, P < .001). Multivariable analysis showed no significant predictors for the overall perioperative procedure-related complications, hemorrhagic complications, and ischemic complications. CONCLUSION: The LVIS stent is a safe and effective device for stent-assisted coiling of acutely ruptured wide-necked intracranial aneurysms, with comparable procedure-related complication rates, higher complete occlusion rates, and lower recurrence rates at follow-up compared with coiling only.

Risk Factors for Intraprocedural Rupture in the Endovascular Treatment of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms: A Single-Center Experience with 1232 Procedures.

BACKGROUND: Intraprocedural rupture (IPR) is a rare complication that can occur during endovascular treatment (EVT) of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). However, it universally leads to poor outcomes if not properly managed. In the present study, we sought to illuminate the risk factors for IPR during EVT of UIAs. METHODS: The data from patients with UIAs who had undergone EVT in our center from January 2010 to March 2017 were retrospectively collected and reviewed. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic analysis were performed to analyze the risk factors for IPR. RESULTS: A total of 1232 patients with 1312 unruptured aneurysms were included in the present study. IPR occurred in 11 patients (0.9%). Univariate analysis showed that cardiac comorbidities, irregular morphology, and location at the anterior communicating artery (AcomA) were significantly associated with the development of IPR (P < 0.05). In addition, stent placement was related to a lower risk of IPR compared with no stent placement (P = 0.024). The multivariate analysis showed that cardiac comorbidities (odds ratio [OR], 6.320; P = 0.016), irregular morphology (OR, 9.562; P = 0.001), and location on the AcomA (OR, 6.971; P = 0.006) were independent risk factors for IPR. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence rate of IPR was relatively low. Cardiac comorbidities, irregular morphology, and location on the AcomA are independent risk factors for IPR. Stents and flow diverters are safe and feasible in treating UIA, with a significantly low risk of IPR.

Preliminary experience with the use of low profile visualized intraluminal support device in basilar artery for aneurysm treatment.

BACKGROUND: The low profile visualized intraluminal support (LVIS) device is being increasingly used for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Its application in the basilar artery (BA) has not yet been reported. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and early efficacy of the LVIS device for the treatment of BA aneurysms. METHODS: A prospectively maintained database was retrospectively reviewed for all patients with BA aneurysms treated by LVIS stents at our institution. Angiographic results were evaluated using the modified Raymond-Roy classification (mRRC). RESULTS: 23 patients (mean age 52.8 years) with a BA aneurysm that was treated by LVIS stent implantation, with (n=21) or without (n=2) adjunctive coiling, were included in our study. 7 aneurysms were treated in the setting of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). 10 aneurysms were located at the basilar tip, 10 at the basilar trunk, and 3 at the superior cerebellar artery. Procedure related complications developed in three patients (13%), including two perforator infarction and one worsening mass effect. Complications resulted in permanent morbidity (4%) in one case. One fatality was related to severe poor grade SAH. At a mean follow-up of 6.9 months, 13 of the 20 patients were mRRC I closure, 3 were mRRC II closure with an improvement from class IIIa, 3 were observed to be recanalized from class IIIa to IIIb, and 1 with stenting only was still patent similar to the immediate angiography. CONCLUSION: The LVIS stent represents a feasible and safe option for endovascular embolization of BA aneurysms. Although recanalization may occur after LVIS treatment, the mid term complete occlusion rate was acceptable.

Staged Stenting with or without Additional Coils after Conventional Initial Coiling of Acute Ruptured Wide-Neck Intracranial Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Stent-assisted coiling technique has been more and more adopted in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms and has been shown to improve long-term angiographic results; however, the treatment is relatively contraindicated in acutely ruptured aneurysms for its ischemic and hemorrhagic complications. Staged stenting after conventional coiling has emerged as a potential treatment strategy for ruptured wide-neck aneurysms. This study assessed the safety and efficacy of coiling in the acute phase followed by delayed stenting for ruptured wide-neck intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: Patients with ruptured wide-neck intracranial saccular aneurysms treated with endovascular coiling in acute phase followed by stent placement at a later date (4 weeks) in our center between November 2006 and September 2016 were reviewed. The primary outcomes were procedural safety, target aneurysm rebleeding, and long-term follow-up of clinical and angiographic outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients were enrolled in this study, all patients received staged therapy of stent placement at the required time. The median interval time to retreatment was 4.2 weeks. No cases of rebleeding occurred during the intervals between coiling and stent implantation. No permanent morbidity or mortality resulting from stenting or coiling was observed. All 47 patients underwent angiographic follow-up at a mean of 16.1 months, and complete occlusion was achieved in 38 (80.85%) patients. A total of 44 patients had modified Rankin Scale scores ≤2 during a mean of 21 months. CONCLUSIONS: Staged treatment of ruptured wide-neck aneurysms with coiling in the acute phase followed by delayed stenting is safe and effective.

Morphological Risk Factors for Rupture of Small (<7 mm) Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: The management of small, unruptured intracranial aneurysms is still controversial. Given the distinctive natural history of aneurysm at different locations, location-specific analysis might be a reasonable approach. This study aimed to investigate morphological discriminators for rupture status by focusing on only posterior communicating artery (PcomA) aneurysms smaller than 7 mm. METHODS: In 108 small PcomA aneurysms (68 ruptured, 40 unruptured), clinical and morphological characteristics were compared between the ruptured and unruptured groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent predictors for the rupture status of small PcomA aneurysms. RESULTS: None of the clinical characteristics were significantly different between the ruptured and unruptured groups (P > 0.05). The ruptured group revealed a significantly larger size (P = 0.009), aspect ratio (P = 0.009), size ratio (P = 0.002), dome-to-neck ratio (P = 0.002), inflow angle (P < 0.001), and proportion of bleb formation (P = 0.039). Bottleneck factor (P = 0.154), diameter of PcomA (P = 0.302), and fetal-type PcomA (P = 0.832) showed no significance. With multivariate analyses, size ratio (P = 0.012) and inflow angle (P = 0.001) were shown to be independently associated with the rupture status of small PcomA aneurysms. CONCLUSIONS: Morphological characteristics were closely related with the rupture status of small PcomA aneurysms. Size ratio and inflow angle were independent risk factors for rupture and might be useful in clinical risk stratification of small PcomA aneurysms.

The safety and efficacy of low profile visualized intraluminal support (LVIS) stents in assisting coil embolization of intracranial saccular aneurysms: a single center experience.

BACKGROUND: The low profile visualized intraluminal support (LVIS) device is a new generation of self-expanding braided stents recently introduced into China for stent assisted coiling of intracranial aneurysms. This study assessed the clinical safety and efficacy of the LVIS stent for embolization of intracranial saccular aneurysms. METHODS: Patients with intracranial saccular aneurysms treated using the LVIS device in our center between April 2014 and December 2014 were reviewed. The primary outcomes were procedural safety, target aneurysm recurrence, and mid-term follow-up of clinical and angiographic outcomes. RESULTS: 97 patients with intracranial saccular aneurysms were treated using the LVIS stent, with 100% technical success rate. No mortality was observed. One patient had transient deficit (1/97, 1.0%). Immediate angiographic outcome evaluation showed complete occlusion in 28 (28.8%) and neck remnant in 39 (40.2%) of the 97 patients, respectively. Of the 76 (78.35%) patients who underwent angiographic follow-up at a mean of 8.1 months, complete occlusion was achieved in 64 (84.2%) patients. In the remaining patients, neck remnant in nine (11.8%) and residual sac in three (4%) patients were observed. None of the patients had any target aneurysm recurrence, and the mortality rate was 0%. CONCLUSIONS: The LVIS stent is safe and effective in the treatment of intracranial saccular aneurysms.

Endovascular Treatment of 48 Early Branch Aneurysms of the Middle Cerebral Artery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of endovascular treatment (EVT) for early branch aneurysms (EBAs) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). METHODS: We reviewed 211 MCA aneurysms that received EVT between January 2012 and December 2014. The EBAs were identified according to their special patterns on cerebral angiography. The angiographic features, clinical outcomes, and angiographic results were investigated. RESULTS: Forty-eight EBAs (22.7%) in 47 patients were identified among the MCA aneurysms. The treatments were successful in all EBAs, including coiling in 23 aneurysms, balloon-assisted coiling in 4, and stent-assisted coiling in 21. Immediate angiograms showed complete occlusion in 15 aneurysms, residual neck in 18, and residual aneurysm in 15. A procedure-related complication occurred in 1 patient (2.1%) who experienced rebleeding during treatment, and no neurologic function was insulted. Thirty-nine patients underwent angiographic follow-up (mean, 8.2 months), which showed 36 aneurysms were not aggravated, 3 had minor recanalization, and none showed major recanalization. The clinical follow-up (mean, 22.8 months) of all patients demonstrated no neurologic deterioration or rebleeding; however, 1 patient died of unexplained cerebral hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary experience demonstrates that EVT for EBAs is feasible and safe. Direct comparison of clipping and coiling is warranted.

Endovascular Embolization of Intracranial Aneurysms: To Use Stent(s) or Not? Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to review the literature concerning stent-assisted coiling (SAC) in comparison with coiling without stents for treating intracranial aneurysms and to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of SAC by conducting a meta-analysis of published studies. METHODS: According to the methods and guidelines for meta-analysis, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Database were searched. All articles that compared SAC and coiling without stent were reviewed. The data extracted were the rates of immediate occlusion, progressive thrombosis, angiographic occlusion, angiographic recurrence, overall complications, ischemic stroke, and hemorrhagic stroke. RESULTS: Sixteen studies with 4294 aneurysms were analyzed. SAC was performed for 1466 aneurysms; and coiling without stent was performed for 2828 aneurysms. No significant difference in immediate occlusion rate was found between the 2 groups (odds ratio [OR] = 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73-1.39, P = 0.96). However, SAC had an advantage in terms of angiographic occlusion rate during follow-up (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.16-2.26, P < 0.01), progressive thrombosis rate (OR = 2.54, 95% CI: 2.00-3.24, P < 0.01), and reduction in recurrence rate (OR = 0.46; 95% CI, 0.35-0.59, P < 0.01). No significant differences were shown in overall complication rate (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 086-1.96, P = 0.21) and hemorrhagic stroke rate (OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.43-1.20, P = 0.21). Ischemic strokes were more common in the SAC patients than in the non-stent-assisted patients (OR = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.05-2.63, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Compared with coiling without stent, stent-assisted coiling of intracranial aneurysms achieved satisfactory results, with higher long-term angiographic occlusion rate and lower recurrence rate. However, ischemic stroke remains a problem that cannot be ignored.

Solitaire stents for the treatment of complex symptomatic intracranial stenosis after antithrombotic failure: safety and efficacy evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of Solitaire stent placement after balloon angioplasty for the treatment of complex symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data from 44 patients who underwent Solitaire stent placement for complex symptomatic ICAS at our department between November 2010 and March 2014, with focus on the clinical factors, lesion characteristics, treatment results, and periprocedural complications. We also summarized the early outcomes and imaging findings during the follow-up period. RESULTS: Overall, the technical success rate was 100% (44/44). Post-stenting residual stenosis ranged from 0% to 40% (mean 15.00±12.94%). The overall 30-day rate of procedure-related complications was 9.09% (4/44). The incidence of recurrent ischemic events related to the territory artery was 4.55% during a mean clinical follow-up period of 25.5 months. Five patients (11.36%) developed in-stent restenosis during a mean angiographic follow-up period of 9.3 months. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first case series study of ICAS treated by Solitaire stent placement. Deployment of a Solitaire stent with balloon angioplasty in the treatment of complex severe intracranial stenosis appears safe and effective, with a high technical success rate, relatively low periprocedural complication rate, and favorable outcome during follow-up.

Endovascular treatment of wide-neck anterior communicating artery aneurysms using the LVIS Junior stent.

We performed this retrospective study to assess the clinical safety and efficacy of the low-profile visualized intraluminal support junior (LVIS Jr.; MicroVention, Aliso Viejo, CA, USA) stent placement in anterior communicating artery (ACA) aneurysms. ACA aneurysms are some of the most common intracranial aneurysms. Stent placement is particularly difficult due to the complexity of the vascular anatomy and the small vessels of the ACA complex. From November 2013 and June 2014, LVIS Jr. stent-assisted coiling was performed in 11 patients with 12 wide-neck ACA aneurysms. Patient demographics, morphologic features of the aneurysm, clinical results and follow-up results are presented. Successful deployment of the LVIS Jr. stent in the targeted artery was achieved in all patients. Complete occlusion was achieved in seven patients, neck remnant in three, and partial occlusion in two. The angiographic follow-up of nine patients (mean 4.4 months) showed that all aneurysms remained stable or improved. There was no in-stent stenosis, recurrence or retreatment. The modified Rankin scale score at discharge was 0 in eight patients and 1 in three patients. The LVIS Jr. stent provided excellent trackability and deliverability and is safe and effective for the treatment of wide-necked ACA aneurysms. Further follow-up is needed to assess the long-term efficacy of LVIS Jr. stent placement in ACA.