Treatment Of Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms Research Articles

Outcome of ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm treatment compared between surgical clipping and endovascular coiling: A single-center analysis.

The optimal treatment modality for ruptured anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms is unclear. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to compare the outcomes of endovascular coiling and surgical clipping to treat ruptured ACoA aneurysms. A retrospective analysis of 213 consecutive patients with ruptured AcoA aneurysms, who were treated with coiling or clipping between January 2010 and December 2020, was conducted. Of the 213 patients, 94 and 119 underwent clipping and coiling, respectively. The mean age was higher in the coiling group than in the clipping group (60.3 ± 13.2 vs. 53.5 ± 13.4, P < .001). The mean diameter of the aneurysmal neck was larger in the clipping group (3.4 mm vs. 3.0 mm, P = .022), whereas the dome-to-neck ratio (1.53 ± 0.52 vs. 1.70 ± 0.60, P = .031) and aspect ratio (1.67 ± 0.51 vs. 1.92 ± 0.77, P = .005) were larger in the coiling group. The prevalence of vasospasm was higher in the clipping than in the coiling group (42.6% vs. 26.9%, P = .016). The coiling group had a shorter mean intensive care unit hospitalization (18.3 vs. 12.1, P = .002) and more frequently showed favorable outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scale 4, 5; 57.4% vs 73.1%, P = .016) compared to the clipping group. Multivariable logistic analysis showed that good initial WFNS grade (odds ratio [OR] = 6.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.69–16.65, P < .001), treatment with coiling (OR = 3.67, 95% CI: 1.70–7.90, P = .001), and absence of the need for cerebrospinal fluid diversion (OR = 5.21, 95% CI: 2.38–11.39, P < .001) were independent predictors of favorable outcomes in patients with ruptured ACoA aneurysms. Ruptured ACoA aneurysms can be safely and effectively treated using both clipping and coiling modalities. However, it may be beneficial to consider coiling as the first option for treating these aneurysms.

Cognitive Impairments and Risk Factors After Ruptured Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm Treatment in Low-Grade Patients Without Severe Complications: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Background: Cognitive impairment is the main factor affecting quality of life in patients with low-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.Objective: We explored cognitive impairments and risk factors after treatment for ruptured anterior communicating artery (AComA) aneurysms in low-grade (Hunt-Hess grade of 1–3) patients without severe complications.Methods: One-hundred-twenty-six patients with a Hunt-Hess grade of 1–3 who underwent microsurgical clipping or endovascular embolization for ruptured AComA aneurysm treatment at three academic institutions in China from January 2015 to December 2017 were assessed with the modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS-m), the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) scale 2 or more years after microsurgical clipping or endovascular coiling. Multiple cox-regression analysis was used to identify variables independently associated with cognitive impairment.Results: Of the total of 126 patients, 115 (91.3%) achieved good clinical outcomes (mRS score 0–2) and 109 (86.5%) had excellent quality of life (IADL score 8). Twenty-eight (22.2%) patients showed cognitive impairments (TICS-m≤27). The multivariate COX regression analysis showed that the female patients and longer duration of loss of consciousness at onset of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) were independently associated with cognitive impairment. Cognitive outcome at the latest follow-up was not significantly different between patients treated after surgical clipping and coiling.Conclusion: About one in five patients showed cognitive impairments after treatment for ruptured AComA aneurysms. Patients who are of the female sex, and who have a longer duration of a loss of consciousness at the onset of SAH may be at risk of cognitive impairment.

Reply.

We thank Dr Mugikura and colleagues for their comments regarding our recent article “Patient Outcomes and Cerebral Infarction after Ruptured Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm Treatment.”[1][1] Patients who undergo ruptured anterior communicating (AcomA) aneurysm treatment by microsurgical

"Coil mainly" policy in management of intracranial ACoA aneurysms: single-centre experience with the systematic review of literature and meta-analysis.

Endovascular techniques are still expanding in their capability by introducing novel technologies. Nevertheless, anterior communicating artery (ACoA) remains the region with high propensity for aneurysm (AN) re-growth after endovascular intervention. The purpose of this study is to highlight the ongoing importance for microsurgical treatment. The authors conducted a single-institution retrospective study of ACoA AN treatment between January 2000 and December 2016 maintaining "coil mainly" policy. The results are supplied with a systematic review of the literature. A total of n =398 ACoA ANs were treated in n =398 consecutive patients (207 females, 191 males). Microsurgical treatment was performed for 79 AN patients (54 ruptured, 25 unruptured), and 319 AN patients (250 ruptured, 69 unruptured) underwent coiling procedure. Treatment-related morbidity and mortality (MM) for unruptured ANs was 0% in the microsurgical and 1.5% in the endovascular group (p = 1.000). The percentage of patients with none or minor permanent deficits after subarachnoid hemorrhage was 74% in the microsurgical and 70% in the endovascular group (p = 0.693). The re-treatment rate was 3.8% in microsurgical group and 9.2% in endovascular group (p = 0.883). A literature review identified 39 studies concerning ACoA AN treatment. Clinical results of both modalities were comparable, with microsurgery being superior regarding radiological outcomes. This study demonstrates that both treatment techniques bring comparable clinical benefit to the patient. Microsurgery seemed superior regarding radiological outcomes. The decision about the treatment strategy should be made by a multi-disciplinary team consisting of specialists from both teams, bearing in mind the higher occlusion rate and longevity of the surgical treatment.

Patient Outcomes and Cerebral Infarction after Ruptured Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm Treatment.

Anterior communicating artery aneurysm rupture and treatment is associated with high rates of dependency, which are more severe after clipping compared with coiling. To determine whether ischemic injury might account for these differences, we characterized cerebral infarction burden, infarction patterns, and patient outcomes after surgical or endovascular treatment of ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysms. We performed a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysms. Patient data and neuroimaging studies were reviewed. A propensity score for outcome measures was calculated to account for the nonrandom assignment to treatment. Primary outcome was the frequency of frontal lobe and striatum ischemic injury. Secondary outcomes were patient mortality and clinical outcome at discharge and at 3 months. Coiled patients were older (median, 55 versus 50 years; P = .03), presented with a worse clinical status (60% with Hunt and Hess Score >2 versus 34% in clipped patients; P = .02), had a higher modified Fisher grade (P = .01), and were more likely to present with intraventricular hemorrhage (78% versus 56%; P = .03). Ischemic frontal lobe infarction (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.1-8.4; P = .03) and recurrent artery of Heubner infarction (OR, 20.9; 95% CI, 3.5-403.7; P < .001) were more common in clipped patients. Clipped patients were more likely to be functionally dependent at discharge (OR, 3.2; P = .05) compared with coiled patients. Mortality and clinical outcome at 3 months were similar between coiled and clipped patients. Frontal lobe and recurrent artery of Heubner infarctions are more common after surgical clipping of ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysms, and are associated with poorer clinical outcomes at discharge.

Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm Treatment with the Pipeline Embolization Device: A Single-Center Experience with Long-Term Follow-Up

Introduction: The pipeline embolization device (PED) is increasingly used in the endovascular management of cerebral aneurysms. Longitudinal data regarding safety and benefit of the PED in anterior communicating (ACOM) artery aneurysms are limited and particularly lacking in residual ACOM artery aneurysms. We report the use of the PED in 3 patients with ACOM artery aneurysms who were previously coiled. Methods: Three patients with ACOM artery aneurysms, all previously treated with coiling and with recurrence of the aneurysm neck, were treated with the PED. All obtained follow-up diagnostic cerebral angiograms at either 3 or 6 months. Results: Mean age of patients was 59 years. All patients received cerebral angiograms at a minimum of 3 months after treatment with the PED. Follow-up angiography was performed up to a mean of 10 months at which time point all cases demonstrated complete aneurysm occlusion, without any stenosis in the parent artery. Conclusion: The PED can be safely used for the treatment of ACOM artery aneurysms. Complete aneurysm obliteration can be achieved in cases refractory to endovascular coiling. These findings warrant replication in a larger data set.

Stent assisted coiling in endovascular emblization of anterior communicating artery aneurysms

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficiency of Solitaire AB in the endovascular emblization of anterior communicating artery (AComA) aneurysms.Methods From July 2010 to December 2011,consecutive data were collected from 23 patients with AComA aneurysms that were treated with stent assisted coiling.The occlusion rate,patency of parent artery,clinical prognosis,and stent-related complication were evaluated.Results Successful placement of Solitaire AB was obtained in all cases.The proportion of patients in whom totally occluded was obtained in 74％ (n =17).Subtotally occluded was achieved in 17％ (n =4) and partly occluded in 9％ (n =2).The entire parent arteries were in patency.All the patients survived,with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0 ～ 1 in 22 cases and mRS 3 in 1 case.Vascular spasms and stent-related complications,was seen in one case without any clinical symptoms.Conclusions Solitaire AB is useful for the endovascular treatment of AComA aneurysms. Key words: Stents ; Intracranial aneurysm; Emblism

The endovascular treatment of ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysms

Objective To summarize the experience of endovascular treatment of ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysms and discuss the technical points of procedure. Methods Retrospective analysis of the stent - assisted or dual microcatheter endovascular treatment for 38 patients of ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysms in our hospital,the clinical data of anterior communicating artery aneurysm embolism process and treatment outcomes were evaluated.Results Densely packing 33 cases of 38 patients,most of the filling three cases,the residual aneurysm neck one cases of intraoperative bleeding,1 patient died.12 cases of patients on admission DSA review the no aneurysm recurrence.Conclusion Rupture of the anterior communicating artery aneurysm treatment,endovascular treatment can achieve a good therapeutic purpose,but also need to accumulate a lot of clinical experience,and continuously improve the level of endovascular treatment. Key words: Anterior communicating artery aneurysm; Stent-assisted; Dual microcatheter; Endovascular treatment

Role of aneurysm projection in “A2” fork orientation for determining the side of surgical approach

To determine factors that help decide the side of approach for anterior communicating artery (AComA) aneurysms, based on a prospective study. Between January 2004 and January 2006, 93 cases with AComA aneurysms were treated through pterional approach. They were classified as Type I, II (IIa, IIb), III and IV, based on the various projections and size of aneurysm. The principle for the choice of operative side was designed based on the type of aneurysm and the A2 fork orientation (the interrelations between the plane of bilateral A2, AComA, and mid-saggital plane). There were 55 aneurysms of Type I, 10 of Type IIa, 14 of Type IIb, 12 of Type III, and 2 of Type IV. In Types I and IIa, the side posteriorly placed to A2 was chosen for the approach. In Type IIb, the side of the dominant A1 was selected. In Type III, the side anteriorly placed to A2 was chosen. Type IV aneurysms were difficult to handle even if approached from the dominant A1. There were 11 cases treated from the side of non-dominant A1. The overall outcome in the treatment of AComA aneurysms were considered excellent in 90.8% of cases according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale, with complete occlusion of aneurysms and complete patency of parent or perforating arteries. Applying three-dimensional computed tomography and magnetic resonance angiography, we classified AComA aneurysms as four types and undertook surgical clipping from the chosen side of approach, according to the type of aneurysm and the A2 fork orientation. The selective side of approach on the basis of individual decision-making has led to favourable outcomes.

Fenestrated aneurysm clips in the surgical management of anterior communicating artery aneurysms: operative techniques and strategy

Aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery (ACoA) can be a considerable challenge to treat surgically based on variations in the anatomy and morphological features of the ACoA complex. The fenestrated aneurysm clip can be a simple and practical tool in the operative management of ACoA aneurysms. The goal in this study was to characterize the particular surgical situations in which the use of a fenestrated clip facilitates the clip ligation of ACoA aneurysms. The authors present their operative strategy and techniques for the use of fenestrated clips in the treatment of ACoA aneurysms. One hundred ninety-nine patients underwent surgical clipping of an ACoA aneurysm at the authors' institution between the years 1991 and 2008. Of these patients, fenestrated aneurysm clips were used in 20 cases (10%). The following structures were enclosed in the clip aperture: ipsilateral A(2) artery, 12 patients (60%); ipsilateral A(1) artery, 4 patients (20%); ipsilateral A(1) artery plus recurrent artery of Heubner, 1 patient (5%); ACoA, 1 patient (5%); frontopolar artery, 1 patient (5%); and no structures, 1 patient (5%). Aneurysms approached from the left side more frequently required fenestrated clips than did right-sided aneurysms (80 vs 20%, p = 0.0073). In all cases, patency of the A(2) vessels was confirmed on postoperative angiography. In 2 patients, small remnant aneurysm necks were identified on postoperative angiography. The use of fenestrated aneurysm clips can minimize tedious and potentially dangerous dissection of adherent branch vessels, while maintaining the integrity of structures placed within the clip aperture. The ACoA aneurysms pointing in a superior direction are more likely to require clip fenestration around the A(2) vessel, whereas those pointing in an inferior direction are more likely to require clip fenestration around the A(1) vessel. The parallel approximation of the fenestrated clip blades makes them especially useful in the treatment of large or giant aneurysms.

MICROSURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF ANTERIOR COMMUNICATING ARTERY ANEURYSMS

Aneurysms of the anterior communicating (ACOM) artery are the most frequently occurring type of ruptured intracranial aneurysms. The peculiar anatomy of the anterior communicating artery complex, its anatomic variations, and its multiple perforators, along with the deep location of these aneurysms and our difficulty accessing them, pose challenging anatomic problems in their surgical treatment. We present our operative techniques for microsurgical treatment of ACOM artery aneurysms. Special, complex situations that may arise during treatment of these aneurysms and their solutions are also discussed. We highlight the technical aspects of microsurgical clipping of ACOM artery aneurysms. Operative videos are provided to illustrate the technical variations of approaching and clipping these aneurysms, the A3-A3 bypass technique, and the complexity of managing these aneurysms. Attention to detail is critical for successful treatment of ACOM artery aneurysms. Management of each patient must be tailored, because no one technique is suitable for all situations. Not all ACOM artery aneurysms can be coiled; therefore, the surgeon's microsurgical clipping technique is an important facet of managing these aneurysms.

Treatment of anterior communicating artery aneurysms: complementary aspects of microsurgical and endovascular procedures.

Endovascular and surgical treatment must be clearly defined in the management of anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms. In this study the authors report their recent experience in using a combined surgical and endovascular team approach for ACoA aneurysms, and compare these results with those obtained during an earlier period in which surgical treatment was used alone. Morbidity and mortality rates, causes of unfavorable outcomes, and morphological results were also assessed. The prospective study included 223 patients who were divided into three groups: Group A (83 microsurgically treated patients, 1990-1995); Group B (103 microsurgically treated patients, 1996-2000); and Group C (37 patients treated with Guglielmi Detachable Coil [GDC] embolization, 1996-2000). Depending on the direction in which the aneurysm fundus projected, the authors attempted to apply microsurgical treatment to Type 1 aneurysms (located in front of the axis formed by the pericallosal arteries). They proposed the most adapted procedure for Type 2 aneurysms (located behind the axis of the pericallosal arteries) after discussion with the neurovascular team, depending on the physiological status of the patient, the treatment risk, and the size of the aneurysm neck. In accordance with the classification of Hunt and Hess, the authors designated those patients with unruptured aneurysms (Grade 0) and some patients with ruptured aneurysms (Grades I-III) as having good preoperative grades. Patients with Grade IV or V hemorrhages were designated as having poor preoperative grades. By performing routine angiography and computerized tomography scanning, the causes of unfavorable outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale [GOS] score < 5) and the morphological results (complete or incomplete occlusion) were analyzed. Overall, the clinical outcome was excellent (GOS Score 5) in 65% of patients, good (GOS Score 4) in 9.4%, fair (GOS Score 3) in 11.6%, poor (GOS Score 2) in 3.6%, and fatal in 10.3% (GOS Score 1). Among 166 patients in good preoperative grades, an excellent outcome was observed in 134 patients (80.7%). The combined permanent morbidity and mortality rate accounted for up to 19.3% of patients. The rates of permanent morbidity and death that were related to the initial subarachnoid hemorrhage were 6.2 and 1.5% for Group A, 6.6 and 1.3% for Group B, and 4 and 4% for Group C, respectively. The rates of permanent morbidity and death that were related to the procedure were 15.4 and 1.5% for Group A, 3.9 and 0% for Group B, and 8 and 8% for Group C, respectively. When microsurgical periods were compared, the rate of permanent morbidity or death related to microsurgical complications decreased significantly (Group A, 11 patients [16.9%] and Group B, three patients [3.9%]); Fisher exact test, p = 0.011) from the period of 1990 to 1995 to the period of 1996 to 2000. The combined rate of morbidity and mortality that was related to the endovascular procedure (16%) explained the nonsignificance of the different rates of procedural complications for the two periods, despite the significant decrease in the number of microsurgical complications. Among 57 patients in poor preoperative grade, an excellent outcome was observed in 11 patients (19.3%); however, permanent morbidity (GOS Scores 2-4) or death (GOS Score 1) occurred in 46 patients (80.7%). With regard to the correlation between vessel occlusion (the primary microsurgical complication) and the morphological characteristics of aneurysms, only the direction in which the fundus projected appeared significant as a risk factor for the microsurgically treated groups (Fisher exact test: Group A, p = 0.03; Group B, p = 0.002). The difference between endovascular and microsurgical procedures in the achievement of complete occlusion was considered significant (chi2 = 6.13, p = 0.01). The direction in which the fundus projects was chosen as the morphological criterion between endovascular and surgical methods. The authors propose that microsurgical clip application should be the preferred option in the treatment of ACoA aneurysms with anteriorly directed fundi and that endovascular packing be selected for those lesions with posteriorly directed fundi, depending on morphological criteria.