pCONUS 2 and pCONUS 2-HPC in the treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms: Multicentre UK experience.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: pCONUS 2 and pCONUS 2-HPC are neck-bridging devices that provide coiling support in the endovascular treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms. To date, limited multicentre data has been published. This study provides the first pooled data from multiple UK centres regarding outcomes for these devices covering the periprocedural period to 6-month follow-up. MATERIALS/METHODS: This retrospective, single-arm study assessed 65 patients treated over 3 years from the time of procedure to 6 months post-procedure across four UK centres. Data collected included patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics and antiplatelet regimens. Outcome measures were angiographic results and procedure-related complications from the immediate periprocedural period to 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Fifty-four unruptured (83.1%) and 11 ruptured (16.9%) aneurysms were treated. Fifty-five aneurysms were located in the anterior circulation (87.7%). There were four device-related intraprocedural complications: three cases of asymptomatic, temporary thrombus formation and one mortality associated with branch vessel occlusion and aneurysm re-bleeding in a ruptured case. There were no post-procedural device-related complications. Satisfactory occlusion was achieved in 58/65 procedures (89.2%) at time of treatment and in 44/60 (73.3%) at 6 months. Satisfactory occlusion correlated with aneurysm size and coiling packing density. Retreatment was required for five unruptured cases (7.7%) and was straightforward with the device in situ. CONCLUSION: pCONUS 2 and pCONUS 2-HPC have good short-term safety profiles. The use of pCONUS 2-HPC in the acute treatment of ruptured aneurysms with postprocedural SAPT is feasible. The devices have an intraprocedural complication rate of 4/65 (6.2%) across multiple UK centres, including a single death (1.5%).

WEB vs coiling in ruptured aneurysms: A propensity score matched comparison of safety and efficacy.

BACKGROUND: We aim to compare the safety and efficacy of WEB with coiling for acutely ruptured aneurysms.METHODS: All consecutive ruptured aneurysms with width suitable for WEB (2-10 mm) treated over 5 years (1/1/2015 to 31/12/2019) were included. We recorded WFNS, Fisher grade, patient demographics and aneurysm characteristics (size, location, D/W and aspect ratio, lobulation). Primary endpoints were mRS status at 3 months, aneurysm occlusion on latest available imaging follow-up, retreatment rate and procedural complications. We applied propensity score matching using aneurysm morphology (size, D/N ratio, ASPECT ratio and lobulation) to optimise matching for WEB versus coil comparison and minimise the effects of confounding. RESULT: A total of 493 patients were identified, 97 treated with the WEB device. 1:1 propensity score matching was used to establish a matched group of 97 patients treated with coiling. The WEB arm showed 3% procedural complication rate, with no haemorrhagic complications and use of adjunctive device in 4%. Satisfactory occlusion on follow-up (mean 14 months) was 79%, with 19% retreatment rate. The coil arm had 8% complication rate, with use of an adjunctive device in 52% of cases (balloon 44%, stent 8%). Satisfactory occlusion on follow-up (mean 22 months) was 90%, with 8% retreatment rate. CONCLUSION: Treatment of ruptured wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms with WEB has a lower complication rate than coiling with high rate of satisfactory occlusion. However, there was a higher retreatment rate when compared with patients treated with coiling. An adjunct device (balloon or stent), was used in over 50% of aneurysms in the coiling group.

Treatment and outcomes of non-aneurysmal perimesencephalic subarachnoid haemorrhage: A 5 year retrospective study in a tertiary care centre.

PURPOSE: Perimesencephalic Subarachnoid Haemorrhage (PMSAH) is an uncommon type of SAH. Severity of PMSAH can be graded by the presence of blood in the Sylvian fissure. No study compares the outcomes from PMSAH with blood present or absent in the Sylvian fissure. Furthermore, the use of Nimodipine lacks evidence base in PMSAH. We investigated whether continuing Nimodipine to 21 days in PMSAH with or without blood in the Sylvian fissure made any significant difference to patient outcome. METHODS: Retrospective study of 93 cases admitted to tertiary centre from 2016 to 2020. We compared prevalence of cases with blood in Sylvian fissure, and analysed outcomes including complications and changes to patient modified rankin scale (MRS). We also audited use of Nimodipine in these cases and analysed whether Nimodipine made any significant difference in preventing complications. RESULTS: 91 % of PMSAH were grade 1, 24 cases (26 %) had blood in the Sylvian fissure. Sylvian fissure positive (Sylvian-positive) cases were statistically significantly more likely to have higher rates of complication compared to Sylvian fissure negative (Sylvian-negative) cases. Our centre stopped Nimodipine 56 % of the time in Sylvian-negative cases and 45 % of the time in Sylvian-positive cases. There was no statistically significant difference in outcomes when Nimodipine was continued to 21 days or ceased after negative angiogram; this result extended to both Sylvian-positive and Sylvian-negative subgroups when directly comparing Sylvian-positive cases with each other and Sylvian-negative cases likewise. DISCUSSION: Sylvian-positive cases have a significantly higher rate of complication, as well as an increase in MRS. This may be because of the inflammatory properties of haemoglobin in the subarachnoid space post-bleed. Furthermore, acknowledging the limitations of our retrospective data, we did not find a statistically significant difference in continuing Nimodipine to 21 days with relation to PMSAH outcomes in all subgroups.