Endovascular embolization for elderly patients with ruptured intracranial anterior circulation aneurysms and changes of serum levels of MMP-9 and Caspase-3

Abstract

Objective To explore the effect of endovascular embolization for elderly patients with ruptured intracranial anterior circulation aneurysms and the changes of the serum levels of MMP-9 and Caspase-3. Methods 81 elderly patients with ruptured intracranial anterior circulation aneurysms were divided into a craniotomy group and an endovascular embolization group according different treatment methods. 20 healthy elderly persons were selected as a control group. The Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS), Glasgow Outcome Scale(GOS), hospital stay, and incidence of complications before and after treatment were compared between these two groups. The serum levels of Cysteine-containing aspartate-specific proteases 3(Caspase-3) and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) before and after treatment were compared between these two groups. Results The scores of GCS and GOS and the serum levels of Caspase-3 and MMP-9 were significantly higher than before treatment in both groups and were in the craniotomy group than in the endovascular embolization group after treatment (P<0.05). The hospital stay was shorter and the incidence of complications was significantly lower in endovascular embolization group than in the craniotomy group (P<0.05). Conclusions Endovascular embolization in the treatment of ruptured intracranial anterior circulation aneurysms has better efficacy and safety than craniotomy. Key words: Endovascular embolization; Ruptured intracranial anterior circulation aneurysm; Caspase-3; MMP-9