Predictors of aneurysmal occlusion following intracranial aneurysms treatment with pipeline embolization device.

PURPOSE: Pipeline embolization device (PED) is thought to induce aneurysmal occlusion through diversion of flow away from the aneurysmal sac with subsequent thrombosis and endothelialization. The impact of different factors especially hypertension (HTN)-a known predisposing factor to hypercoagulability and altered endothelial function-on aneurysmal occlusion after flow diversion has not been studied. We sought to determine predictors of aneurysmal occlusion following PED treatment focusing on impact of blood pressure. METHODS: Database of patients with cerebral aneurysms treated with PED from 2013 to 2019 at our institution was retrospectively reviewed. Patients were defined as hypertensive if (1) they had a documented history of HTN requiring anti-HTN medications or (2) average systolic blood pressure on three measurements was > 130 mmHg. The primary outcome was aneurysm occlusion status at the last imaging follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to assess the effect of HTN on occlusion, controlling for age, smoking, aneurysmal size, fusiform morphology, posterior circulation location, and incorporated branches. RESULTS: A total of 331 aneurysms in 294 patients were identified for this analysis. The mean age was 59 years (79.9% female). Fifty-five percent of the cohort were classified as hypertensive. When controlling for other potential confounders, hypertensive patients trended toward higher odds of achieving complete occlusion compared to non-hypertensive patients (OR = 2.05; 95% CI = 0.99-4.25; p = 0.052). Meanwhile, age (OR = 0.91; 95% CI = 0.88-0.95; p < 0.001) and an incorporated branch into an aneurysm (OR = 0.22; 95% CI = 0.08-0.58; p < 0.002) were associated with decreased odds for complete aneurysmal occlusion. CONCLUSION: Hypertensive patients show a trend toward higher odds of achieving complete occlusion when controlling for potential confounders. The HTN-induced hypercoagulable state, enhanced endothelial activation, and altered extracellular matrix regulation might be the contributing factors. Further research is warranted to explore clinical implications of these findings.

Radiographic and Patient-Reported Outcomes of Lordotic Versus Non-lordotic Static Interbody Devices in Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Longitudinal Comparative Cohort Study.

Introduction Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) is increasingly used to treat lumbar degenerative pathology. Its effect on sagittal parameters remains controversial. Static and expandable lordotic interbody devices (cages) were developed to improve segmental and overall lumbar lordosis. This study aimed to compare the radiographic and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) between static lordotic and non-lordotic titanium cages in patients undergoing 1-2 level MI-TLIF for degenerative conditions.  Methods We reviewed consecutive eligible patients who underwent 1-2 level MI-TLIF (7/2017-11/2019) at a single institution by multiple surgeons. Standing X-rays and PROs were collected at preoperative, 1-month, and 6-month postoperative intervals. Using univariate analyses, we compared the two cohorts regarding confounders, radiographic parameters, and proportions of patients reaching minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for PROs. Results One-hundred-twenty-five patients were reviewed. Forty-seven had lordotic and seventy-eight non-lordotic cages. The lordotic cohort was significantly younger than the non-lordotic (55.9 years vs. 60.7 years, p= 0.042). The baseline radiographic parameters were not significantly different between cohorts. At the preoperative-6-month interval, the lordotic cohort had significant improvement in lumbar lordosis versus non-lordotic cohort (2.95° ± 7.2° vs. -0.3° ± 7.1°, p=0.024). Both cohorts showed improvement in segmental lordosis, anterior and posterior interspace height, and low subsidence grade with no significant difference between cohorts at all intervals. Overall, 69.1-83.8% of patients achieved MCID in all PROs with no significant difference between cohorts. Conclusions The use of a static lordotic titanium cage in 1-2 level MI-TLIF did not result in significantly different radiographic improvements or PROs compared with a non-lordotic cage.

Impact of Interspace Distraction on Fusion and Clinical Outcomes in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.

STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of change in interspace height on fusion and postoperative neck pain. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: The optimal height of a cervical interbody device (cage) in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is not well defined. In addition, the effect of interspace distraction on fusion and postoperative neck pain remains unclear. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of consecutive patients who underwent one- or two-level ACDF using polyetheretherketone cages by multiple surgeons from January 2015 to June 2016. We excluded patients younger than 18 years old, patients who had prior surgery at the same level (s), those with two-stage procedures, and those with less than 3 months of followup. Fusion was determined using the "Song" criteria. Ordinal regression was used to determine predictors of fusion. Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) were analyzed. RESULTS: We identified 323 consecutive patients. Twenty-two patients met the exclusion criteria. A total of 435 operative levels were included in the 301 remaining patients. Interspace fusion did not significantly vary by increasing interspace height with fusion rates between 76.2% and 82.8% at a mean follow-up of 17.9±12.6 months. The effect of an increase in interspace height and neck pain PRO was available for 163 patients who underwent one-level ACDF at a mean follow-up period of 16.2±13.1 months. We found no significant difference in fusion rate or neck pain score with increasing interspace height from 1 to 8 mm. Ordinal regression demonstrated no significant predictors of fusion. CONCLUSIONS: Interspace distraction from 1 to 8 mm did not result in significantly different pseudarthrosis rates or postoperative neck pain.

Tortuosity Index Predicts Early Successful Reperfusion and Affects Functional Status After Thrombectomy for Stroke.

OBJECTIVE: The literature is scarce for studies evaluating the anatomy of cervical vessels in patients with stroke. We sought to investigate the effect of vessel tortuosity in procedural, angiographic, and functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with mechanical thrombectomy (MT). METHODS: Patients with an emergent large vessel occlusion of the anterior circulation treated with MT between 2015 and 2020 were included. The tortuosity of the internal carotid artery was recorded as the tortuosity index (TI) using the following formula: [(actual/straight length-1) × 100). A multivariable regression was performed to assess procedural, angiographic, and functional outcomes based on the TI. RESULTS: A total of 212 patients were included. Median age was 72 years (interquartile range, 62-82 years); admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 17 ± 6. Median TI was 7.9 (interquartile range, 3.7-19.7). A total of 127 patients (60%) had a TI <10. Early reperfusion (procedure time <60 minutes) was accomplished in 144 patients (67.9%). A multivariable analysis showed that patients with a TI <10 were more likely to achieve an early reperfusion (odds ratio [OR], 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-4.78; P = 0.025). A TI <10 was a predictor of successful reperfusion (OR, 2.0; CI, 1.05-3.93; P = 0.035) and an early reperfusion was the sole predictor of functional independence (most recent modified Rankin Scale score 0-2) (OR, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.62-10.53; adjusted P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a TI <10 are significantly more likely to achieve early successful reperfusion after MT for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke.

Pipeline Embolization Device Versus Stent-Assisted Coiling for Intracranial Aneurysm Treatment: A Retrospective Propensity Score-Matched Study.

BACKGROUND: Pipeline embolization device (PED; Medtronic) and stent-assisted coiling (SAC) are established modalities for treatment of intracranial aneurysms. OBJECTIVE: To comparatively assess the efficacy of these techniques. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with aneurysms treated at our institution with either PED from 2013 to 2017 or SAC from 2009 to 2015. All large (>10 mm), ruptured, fusiform, anterior communicating artery, posterior circulation aneurysms, and patients with no available follow-up imaging were eliminated before running the propensity score matching (PSM). Patients were matched using nearest neighbor controlling for: age, gender, smoking, exact location, maximal diameter, and presence of multiple aneurysms. Total hospital costs for equipment and implants were calculated from procedure product and hospital billing records, and compared between the propensity-matched pairs. RESULTS: Out of 165 patients harboring 202 aneurysms; 170 (84.2%) were treated with the PED, and 32 (15.8%) were treated using SAC. PSM resulted in 23 matched pairs; with significantly longer follow up in the SAC group (mean 29.8 vs 14.1 mo; P = .0002). Complete occlusion rates were not different (82.6 vs 87%; P = .68), with no difference between the groups for modified Rankin Scale on last clinical follow-up, procedural complications or retreatment rates. Average total costs calculated from the hospital records, including equipment and implants, were not different between propensity-score matched pairs (P = .48). CONCLUSION: PED placement and SAC offer equally efficacious occlusion rates, functional outcomes, procedural complication rates, and cost profiles for small unruptured anterior circulation saccular aneurysms which do not involve the anterior communicating artery.

A Cohort Comparison Analysis of Fixed Pressure Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Valves With Programmable Valves for Hydrocephalus Following Nontraumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Hydrocephalus after nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a common sequela that may require the placement of ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS). Adjustable-pressure valves (APVs) are being widely used in this situation though more expensive than differential-pressure valves (DPVs). OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes between APV and DPV in SAH-induced hydrocephalus. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with nontraumatic SAH who underwent VPS placement for the treatment of hydrocephalus after SAH, between July 2007 and December 2016. Patients were classified according to the type of valve (APV vs DPV). We evaluated factors that could predict the type of valve used, outcomes in VPS revision/replacement rate, and complications. RESULTS: A total of 66 patients underwent VPS placement who were equally distributed into the 2 groups of valves. VPS failure with the need for revision/replacement occurred in 13 (19.7%) cases. Ten (30.3%) patients with DPV had a VPS failure, while 3 (9.1%) patients with an APV had a similar failure with the need for revision/replacement (P = .03). VPS placement before discharge during the initial hospitalization (P = .02) was statistically significant associated with the use of a DPV, while the reason of external ventricular drain (EVD) failure (P = .03) was associated with the use of an APV. CONCLUSION: APVs had a lower rate of surgical revisions compared to DPVs. Early placement of VPS was associated with the use of a DPV. The need for EVD replacement due to EVD infection or malfunction was associated with higher rates of APV use.

Surgical and Endovascular Comprehensive Treatment Outcomes of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms: Reduction of Treatment Bias.

BACKGROUND: Determining the risks of treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms is critical in the decision-making process of management. Most studies have reported the results for endovascular or surgical management. Our objective was to better delineate the risk estimates for unruptured intracranial aneurysms treated with surgical or endovascular techniques in a comprehensive fashion, according to the patients' risk profiles. METHODS: Data were gathered from 553 patients with 658 unruptured intracranial aneurysms treated at a single institution from 2014 to 2017. The decision to treat was determined by a projected morbidity that was lower than the natural history rupture risk. Data on aneurysm size, location, patient age, and outcome at the last clinical visit (modified Rankin scale scores) were collected and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 59 years, and the mean lesion size was 7.3 mm. Microsurgical clipping was used in 251 lesions (38.2%), endovascular coiling in 70 (10.6%), stent-assisted coiling in 89 (13.5%), and a pipeline embolization device in 248 (37.7%). Complications from the procedures or during hospital admission occurred 66 lesions (10% of the total). Of these 66 complications, 28 (4.32% of the total) were non-neurological, treated, and resolved without permanent morbidity. Neurologic complications occurred in 38 procedures (5.7% of the total). Of these, 7 (1%) resulted in a permanent poor outcome (modified Rankin scale score, 3-6). CONCLUSION: Aneurysmal obliteration using endovascular and surgical approaches in a comprehensive fashion has low treatment risks for unruptured aneurysms. The nomograms generated are useful in the discussion with patients and families regarding the risks of total institutional treatment of unruptured aneurysms.