Abstract 3755: Flow Diversion for Proximal Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysms: Complications and Early Angiographic Results

Abstract

Background: Flow diversion has been proposed as a valid option for patients with proximal internal carotid artery aneurysms. We analyzed a consecutive series of 38 patients with proximal (to the origin of the posterior communicating artery) internal carotid artery aneurysms treated with flow diversion over a 28-month interval. Methods: Clinical information and angiographic follow-up data were prospectively collected in a consecutive series of patients with proximal internal carotid artery aneurysms treated with flow diversion. No patients were lost to follow-up and every eligible patient (with at least 6 months of follow-up) underwent catheter angiography at 6 months. Results: The series include 38 patients (37 women and 1 man). Most of the aneurysms were large or giant and with a wide neck. In two patients, we failed to deliver the device to the target segment because of proximal vessel tortuosity; thus 36 patients underwent flow diversion. There were no permanent periprocedural neurological deficits. One patient experienced a transient neurological deficit and another patient suffered slight transient worsening of a third nerve paresis. Complete angiographic occlusion of the aneurysm was observed in 75% of patients at 6 months and in 87% of the eligible patients at one year. One patient was found to have asymptomatic internal carotid occlusion. Conclusion: Flow diversion is an effective and safe method to treat internal carotid artery aneurysms not amenable to other endovascular techniques.