Endovascular Surgical Techniques Research Articles

Inadvertent Harm: An Institutional Analysis of Iatrogenic Vascular Injuries and Management

Iatrogenic vascular injuries are unintended complications arising from medical or surgical procedures, posing significant risks to patient outcomes. These injuries can result from various interventions, such as catheter placements and stent insertions, and may lead to serious complications. This study analyzes a series of iatrogenic vascular injuries encountered at our institution, focusing on their management and outcomes to enhance patient safety and procedural techniques. From September 1, 2022, to May 31, 2024, a total of nine patients (six males and three females) were treated for iatrogenic vascular injuries at our institution. The injuries resulted from various procedures, including catheter placements, endovascular interventions, and chemo port insertions. Management strategies included both endovascular and open-surgical approaches, with outcomes measured based on postoperative recovery, complications, and overall patient prognosis. The injuries involved a range of complications, including pseudoaneurysms, misplaced guidewires, and arterial damage. Endovascular techniques, such as stent placement and guidewire retrieval, were successfully utilized in four cases, while open surgical interventions were necessary in the remaining four cases to control severe bleeding and repair complex arterial defects. Postoperative complications were minimal, and all patients recovered well, with no mortality reported. Iatrogenic vascular injuries, though challenging, can be effectively managed with a combination of endovascular and open surgical techniques. The choice of approach should be dictated by the specific nature of the injury, aiming to minimize complications and ensure optimal patient outcomes. The findings from this case series underscore the importance of tailored management strategies in improving patient safety in vascular interventions.

Systematic review of extrahepatic hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm following adult liver transplantation: Risk factors and treatment modalities.

Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm (HAP) is a rare vascular complication following liver transplantation (LTx) with treatment choice frequently driven by institutional experience. Approximately, 10% of hepatic grafts are lost from this complication, requiring re-transplantation and placing further demand on the already present organ shortage. Secondly, patients with HAP can present with catastrophic bleeding, with reported mortality of up to 78%. We aim to identify risk factors associated with HAP and assess the survival benefit of different treatment modalities used (endovascular and open surgical techniques). Early detection may facilitate semi-elective management of this condition. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Medline and Embase up to 1 October 2023. Case series with ≥5 patients focusing on adult patients who developed extrahepatic pseudoaneurysm following LTx were included. A total of 11 studies were pooled, comprising of 118 patients with survival data available in 61 patients. The most common presentation was haemorrhagic shock or luminal haemorrhage (75.5%). Bile leak was documented in 66.7% (28/42), 15.2% (18/118) associated foregut pathologies and 28.6% (14/49) of microbiology cultures grew a fungal organism. Flow preserving strategies (stenting, revascularization) trended towards better survival at 120 months compared to non-flow preserving strategies (embolization, HAL); however, this was not statistically significant following log rank (Mantel-Cox) analysis (P 0.169). Any patient following LTx presenting with haemorrhagic shock or luminal bleeding needs HAP excluded urgently. HAP management is complex, requiring careful consideration of patient specific presentation, anatomic factors and associated pathologies.

Postdissection Abdominal Aorto-Iliac Aneurysm Open Repair: A Surgical Technique Description and Systematic Review of the Literature

BackgroundPost-dissection abdominal aortic aneurysms (pDAAA) may develop in up to 7% of patients affected by aortic dissection. However, there is no consensus on the optimal management. Different endovascular and open surgical techniques have been reported. This case-series describes the open surgical technique employed at a tertiary vascular surgery center to manage this complex pathology to allow future treatment of the visceral aorta if needed. A systematic review of the relevant literature on surgical and endovascular management of pDAAA was conducted. MethodConsecutive patients surgically treated at a single center for pDAAA metachronous to a Stanford type A or type B aortic dissection from January 2018 to March 2023 were retrospectively retrieved. The surgical technique we employed entails the use of large-diameter bifurcated grafts (≥ 9 mm branches) with longer main body, fenestration of the septum at renal arteries ostia and landing on a common femoral artery in case of small caliber iliac arteries (< 8 mm) to provide a suitable landing zone and access route for future endovascular thoracoabdominal repair in case of subsequent aneurysmal degeneration. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were major complications, late mortality, aortic-related mortality, and aortic-related reinterventions. Then, a systematic review of the literature until March 2023 was conducted. ResultsFive patients were included, all males with a mean age of 61 years. 30-day mortality was 0. One patient suffered from post-operative acute kidney injury and acute distress respiratory syndrome, and another one underwent repeat laparotomy for abdominal seroma. The mean follow-up was 44 months with no aortic-related reinterventions to date. One patient died from non-aortic-related causes 9 months after surgery. ConclusionsOpen repair of pDAAA appears to be an effective treatment in selected patients, with low mortality rates, and technical choices should consider future endovascular treatment of the thoracoabdominal aorta.

The application of cell products for the treatment of critical limb ischemia in patients with diabetes mellitus: a review of the literature

The number of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) has been progressively increasing worldwide over the past decades, and many international organizations consider DM as a public health emergency of the 21st century.Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the most severe stage of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in DM and is characterized by a high risk of limb loss without revascularization. Traditional treatment tactics include open and endovascular revascularization surgical techniques. However, in patients not eligible for revascularization and in cases where performed surgical treatment performed has been ineffective, there are almost no therapeutic alternatives, often leading to amputations and death. As of today, one of the newest non-surgical treatment options is cell therapy. Among different cells, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are potentially one of the most prospective for use in this patient population.This article provides an overview of clinical trials using cell therapy in patients with CLI.To analyze publications, electronic databases PubMed, SCOPUS, ClinicalTrials, and ScienceDirect were searched to identify published data from clinical trials, research studies, and review articles on cell therapy for critical lower extremity ischemia. After the search, 489 results were received.As a result of systematic selection, 22 clinical trials were analyzed.According to the analyzed literature data, the use of cell products in this category of patients is effective and safe. Cell therapy can stimulate the formation of new vessels and enhances collateral circulation; it is also reported improved distal perfusion, increased pain-free walking distance, decreased amputation rates, and increased survival rates.Nevertheless, further study of the potential use of this category of drugs is needed.

Clinical aspects of acute mesenteric ischaemia

Acute mesenteric ischaemia (AMI) is a serious disease with mortality between 50 and 80 %. Oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathophysiology of AMI. AMI should be considered for any acute abdominal pain that requires analgesia with morphine and for which no other obvious aetiology is found. CT is the main diagnostic procedure to confirm the diagnosis of AMI. There is no specific diagnostic biomarker for AMI that can be used in routine practice. AMI is an urgent diagnostic and therapeutic situation. Treatment of AMI includes a protocol combining digestive rest, curative anticoagulant, antiplatelet, antibiotic therapy, arterial revascularisation to salvage viable bowel and resection of necrotic digestive segments. The strategy of revascularisation depends on the mechanism of arterial occlusion, the morphological appearance of the lesions and the indications for exploratory laparotomy. Endovascular and open surgical techniques can be combined and complemented. Open surgical revascularisation is indicated in case of failure or impossibility of endovascular revascularisation and in case of need for laparotomy. Early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention are the cornerstones of modern treatment to reduce the high mortality of AMI. The emergence of endovascular approaches and modern imaging techniques is developing and providing new treatment options. A multidisciplinary approach based on early diagnosis and treatment is necessary.

Trends in Ruptured and Unruptured Aneurysmal Treatment from 2010 to 2020: A Focus on Flow Diversion

Flow diverters are a promising new tool in the neurosurgeon's arsenal for aneurysm management. We sought to quantify the trends of flow diversion in comparison to traditional endovascular coiling and surgical clip ligation techniques in the United States from 2010 to 2020 with an emphasis on aneurysm location and preferences in usage for ruptured versus unruptured aneurysms. In this large cross-sectional study, patients aged 18 and older within the MARINER database were analyzed. Descriptive characteristics were calculated for all included patients. χ2 tests were used to compare categorical variables. P values<0.05 were statistically significant. A total of 45,542 procedures were conducted in the United States from 2010 to 2020 (clipping: 14,491; coiling: 28,840; flow diversion: 2211). The Southern United States had the largest operative volume across all 3 intervention types, closely followed by the Midwest. Aneurysms of the middle cerebral artery were mostly clipped, whereas coiling and flow diversion techniques were most utilized for anterior communicating and posterior communicating artery aneurysms. Flow diversion is growing most rapidly in the treatment of unruptured aneurysms, though there were also significant increases in usage for ruptured aneurysm treatment from 2019 to2020. Flow diverters have gained significant traction in the treatment for both unruptured and ruptured aneurysms. In the coming years, the indications and use of flow diversion will undoubtedly grow further, but excitement over their application should be tempered by the safety and efficacy data that continues to emerge.

A pictorial essay of ultrasound findings after endovascular procedures for superficial chronic venous disease

To date endovascular surgical techniques represent an effective and widely used choice in the treatment of superficial venous insufficiency. In recent years, tumescent ablative techniques (endovenous laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation) have been joined by non-tumescent ablative techniques (mechanical-chemical ablation and cyanoacrylate glue embolization). The Duplex ultrasound (DUS) is the survey mostly used to evaluate the outcome of these procedures. The aim of this work was to provide an updated overview of the ultrasound aspects that can be found in the follow-up of patients undergoing endovascular procedures. Specifically, the characteristic imaging pictures will be described in the immediate and short/medium term follow-up. The DUS is a fundamental element of the investigation of venous system of the lower limbs after the surgical and endovascular treatment of varicose veins. Therefore, it is necessary to update one’s knowledge regarding ultrasound patterns related to new endovascular procedures.

EndoBeams.jl: A Julia finite element package for beam-to-surface contact problems in cardiovascular mechanics

The increasing use of mini-invasive and endovascular surgical techniques is at the origin of the pressing need for computational models to support planning and training. Several implantable devices have a wire-like structure, which can be modelled using beam elements. Our objective is to create an efficient Finite Element (FE) modelling framework for such devices. For that, we developed the EndoBeams.jl package, written exclusively in Julia, for the numerical simulation of contact interactions between wire-like structures and rigid surfaces. The package is based on a 3D FE corotational formulation for frictional contact dynamics of beams. The rigid target surface is described implicitly using a signed distance field, predefined in a volumetric grid. Since the main objective behind this package is to find the best compromise between computational speed and code readability, the algorithm, originally in Matlab, was translated and optimised in Julia, a programming language designed to combine the performance of low-level languages with the productivity of high-level ones. To evaluate the robustness, a set of tests were conducted to compare the simulation results and computational time of EndoBeams.jl against literature data, the original Matlab code and the commercial software Abaqus. The tests proved the accuracy of the underlying beam-to-surface formulation and showed the drastic performance improvement of the Julia code with respect to the original one. EndoBeams.jl is also slightly faster than Abaqus. Finally, as a proof of concept in cardiovascular medicine, a further example is shown where the deployment of a braided stent is simulated within an idealised artery.

Litrature Review Trauma Vascular

Vascular traumatic is trauma to the blood vessels caused by blunt injuries such as a hard impact or penetrating injuries such as sharp object injuries, penetrating bullet shots. Massive haemorrhage is the main cause of vascular trauma, resulting in death. Therefore, prompt treatment is needed to avoid other complications or even death due to uncontrolled bleeding. Vascular surgeons are the key to trauma injury patients, by controlling bleeding and vascular reconstruction, using aspects of open and endovascular surgical techniques. Diagnostic protocols are needed to identify injuries and consider the best tactics for surgical treatment of vascular injuries. Accurate, non-invasive diagnostic imaging techniques are key to this strategy. The aim of this review is to determine the optimal diagnostic imaging in patients with suspected vascular injury in the anatomic region and the method of treatment with retrospective or prospective data collection which is preferable to CT angiography compared to other methods. CT angiography can be declared the gold standard for diagnosing vascular injury in patients.

History and modern trends in the treatment of spleen injuries in children

Introduction. Over the past 50 years, the concept of treating spleen injuries has undergone significant changes from no alternative to splenectomy to conservative treatment, and this concept is still being actively discussed. The present review shows evolution of views and approaches to the diagnostics and treatment of spleen injuries in children.Material and methods. The literature search was done using keywords in eLIBRARY, MEDLINE and GOOGLESCHOLAR. 65 sources have been selected.Results. The modern concept of spleen injury care has been formed under constantly improving techniques of non-invasive imaging of injuries (ultrasound, computed tomography), under constantly developing endoscopic and endovascular surgical techniques. Currently, conservative treatment of spleen injuries is close to 90-95%.Conclusion. The evolution of views as to the treatment of spleen injuries in children is demonstrating fundamental changes which take place in traditional surgical practice as well as in medical technologies.

Management of Renal Cell Carcinoma With Extensive Caval Thrombosis Utilizing a Temporary Atrial Caval Filter Through a Combined Endovascular and Open Surgical Technique

The most common cause of neoplastic thrombotic infiltration of the inferior vena cava is renal cell carcinoma (RCC). In the present report we described a case of a patient with massive RCC and extensive neoplastic thrombosis reaching the retrohepatic tract of the inferior vena cava. After a discussion in a multidisciplinary team meeting we decided to perform a radical nephrectomy with vena cava thrombectomy along with the support of a novel removable vena cava filter in order to avoid thromboembolism during the surgical procedure. Furthermore, a preoperative renal artery embolization with a non-adhesive liquid embolic agent was performed ahead of the surgical procedure in order to reduce the risk of intraoperative bleeding. The surgical procedure performed the day after was based on a hybrid endovascular-surgical approach consisting in nephrectomy, liver derotation, cavotomy with the additional use of a novel temporary caval filter, thus reducing the risk of intraoperative thromboembolic dissemination.

Cerebrovascular bypass for ruptured aneurysms: A case series

In patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) unfavorable for endovascular or traditional open surgical techniques, surgical revascularization strategies comprise one of remaining limited options. There is nonetheless a paucity of data on the safety and efficacy of bypass in aSAH. In this study, we aimed to investigate complications and outcomes in a cohort of patients with aSAH treated with bypass. A prospective single-surgeon database of consecutive patients treated for aSAH between 2013 and 2018 was retrospectively analyzed. Complications and functional status at discharge were recorded and analyzed for the patients that underwent bypass surgery. Forty patients with aSAH were treated with bypass surgery (23 extracranial-intracranial; 17 intracranial-intracranial). All-cause perioperative mortality was 13% (6 patients). At discharge and at mean 14-month follow up, respectively, 16/40 (40%) and 16/25 (64%) of patients achieved a Glasgow Outcome Score of 4–5. All-cause, in-hospital complications occurred in 28 patients (70%), of which any ischemic complication occurred in 20 patients (50%), 7 (18%) being open surgical complications. This work represents the largest modern series of bypass for aSAH to date. In cases of aSAH unfavorable for endovascular intervention or traditional open surgical techniques, bypass remains a viable option in this complex group of patients.

Traumatic penetrating arteriovenous fistulas: a collective review.

Traumatic penetrating arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are very rare. The majority of these injuries occur secondary to penetrating trauma. Objectives of this study: review their incidence, clinical presentation, radiologic identification, management, complications and outcomes. A literature search was performed on MEDLINE Complete-Pubmed from 1829-2019. PRISMA guidelines were utilized. Of 305 potentially eligible articles, 201 articles were selected. patients age ≥ 18, articles with title and abstract in English, AVFs secondary to penetrating trauma, articles which specified vessels involved in AVFs, and those reporting complete information on patient presentation, diagnosis, imaging, surgical and/or endovascular surgical management, and outcomes of penetrating AVF's. articles reporting blunt or iatrogenic AVFs, pediatric patients, fistulas used for dialysis and their complications, articles lacking complete information, cranial/spinal AVFs or cardiac AVFs, and duplicate articles. Mechanism of injury (MOI), diagnosis, involved vessels, management and outcomes of patients with AVFs secondary to penetrating trauma were recorded. There were a total of 291 patients with AVFs secondary to penetrating injuries. Mechanism of injury (MOI): stab wounds (SW)-126 (43.3%), Gunshot wounds (GSW)-94 (32.3%), miscellaneous-35 (12%), mechanism unspecified-36 (12.4%). Anatomic area: neck-69 (23.7%) patients, thorax-46 (15.8%), abdomen-87 (30%), upper and lower extremities-89 (30.6%). Most commonly involved vessels-vertebral artery-38 (13%), popliteal vein-32 (11.7%). Angiography was diagnostic-265 patients (91.1%). Surgical- 202 (59.6%), Endovascular-118 (34.8%). Associated: aneurysms/pseudoaneurysms-129 (44.3%). Most AVFs occur secondary to penetrating injuries. Stab wounds account for the majority of these injuries. Most frequently injured vessels are vertebral artery and superficial femoral vein. Surgical interventions are the most common mode of management followed by endovascular surgical techniques.

Controversies and Advances in Adult Intracranial Bypass Surgery in 2020

Cerebral revascularization utilizing a variety of bypass techniques can provide either flow augmentation or flow replacement in the treatment of a range of intracranial pathologies, including moyamoya disease, intracranial atherosclerotic disease, and complex aneurysms that are not amenable to endovascular or simple surgical techniques. Though once routine, the publication of high-quality prospective evidence, along with the development of flow-diverting stents, has limited the indications for extracranial-to-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass. Nevertheless, advances in imaging, assessment of cerebral hemodynamics, and surgical technique have changed the risk-benefit calculus for EC-IC bypass. New variations of revascularization surgery involving multiple anastomoses, flow preserving solutions, IC-IC constructs, and posterior circulation bypasses have been pioneered for otherwise difficult to treat pathology including giant aneurysms, dolichoectasia, and medically refractory intracranial atherosclerosis. This review provides a practical update on recent advances in adult intracranial bypass surgery.

Suture- or Plug-Based Large-Bore Arteriotomy Closure: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study sought to test the superiority in terms of efficacy and safety of a dedicated plug-based vascular closure device (VCD) during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) over a suture-based VCD. Vascular complications after TAVR are relevant and often associated with VCD failure. The MASH (MANTA vs. Suture-based vascular closure after transcatHeter aortic valve replacement) trial is an international, 2-center pilot randomized controlled trial comparing the MANTA VCD (Teleflex, Wayne, Pennsylvania) versus 2 ProGlides (Abbott Vascular, Abbott Park, Illinois). The primary composite endpoint consisted of access site-related major or minor vascular complications at 30-days' follow-up. Secondary endpoints included clinically relevant access site bleeding, time to hemostasis, and modified VCD failure (defined as failure to achieve hemostasis within 5min or requiring additional endovascular maneuvers such as endovascular stenting, surgical techniques, or additional closure devices). Adverse events were adjudicated by an independent clinical events committee according to the VARC-2 definitions. A total of 210 TAVR patients were included between October 2018 and January 2020. Median age was 81 years, 54% were male, and the median STS score was 2.7%. There was no significant difference in the primary endpoint of access site-related vascular complications between MANTA and ProGlide (10% vs. 4%; p=0.16). Clinically significant access site bleedings were similar with both closure techniques (9% vs. 6%; p=0.57). Modified VCD failure occurred less frequently in MANTA versus ProGlide (20% vs. 40%; p<0.01). Suture-based closure required more often additional closure devices, whereas MANTA numerically needed more covered stents and surgical bailouts. Plug-based large-bore arteriotomy closure was not superior to suture-based closure. Plug-based closure required fewer, but a different kind of bailout maneuvers.

Tratamiento endovascular de las varices

El tratamiento endovascular de las varices ha desbancado a la cirugía clásica. Este tipo de abordaje se puede realizar mediante diferentes técnicas mínimamente invasivas que eliminan el reflujo en el tronco y en sus ramas principales destruyendo la pared venosa. Estas técnicas se clasifican en 3 grupos: Ablación térmica, ablación química y técnicas mixtas. El objetivo principal de este trabajo fue revisar las evidencias científicas que respaldan estas técnicas. Como objetivo secundario, resumir las ventajas, inconvenientes y complicaciones de cada una de ellas. Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en Medes, Medline, The Cochrane Library y EMBASE.Hasta que se obtengan evidencias más concluyentes, parece que tanto las técnicas quirúrgicas convencionales como las endovasculares tienen aplicación en el tratamiento de las venas varicosas, pero la elección de la técnica concreta a emplear dependerá de las características anatómicas de las venas y de otros aspectos más subjetivos como la experiencia del equipo quirúrgico o las preferencias del paciente. En caso de recidiva, la técnica recomendada es la escleroterapia con espuma ecoguiada. Ningún tratamiento endovascular requiere ingreso hospitalario al no precisar anestesia general. Otras ventajas de estas técnicas incluyen las escasas complicaciones postoperatorias, así como una rápida recuperación y por tanto una rápida incorporación a la vida diaria.

Treatment of lower limb ischaemia in patients with diabetes.

Diabetic chronic limb-threatening ischaemia is a challenging clinical problem with patients at high risk of diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) and limb loss. Patients often remain asymptomatic even in the presence of severe pedal ischaemia until first presenting with tissue loss such as DFU or frank gangrene. Limb salvage units should have the facilities and expertise to provide multidisciplinary team-based holistic care through best medical therapy, rapid diagnosis, prompt revascularisation with endovascular or open surgical techniques and expert wound management. Endovascular revascularisation has become the first line strategy in contemporary clinical practice because of similar outcomes in wound healing and amputation rates in most patients when compared with open surgery. The primary goal is restoration of pulsatile in-line blood flow to the ankle or foot, with an angiosome-directed approach possibly achieving superior outcomes especially in diabetics with poor collaterals. A comprehensive overview of conventional endovascular techniques (such as antegrade true lumen and subintimal approaches), advanced techniques for complex disease (such as retrograde subintimal and pedal-plantar loop approaches or even deep venous arterialisation) and the various treatment options are described. Diabetic limb salvage rates can be excellent with suitable multidisciplinary expertise and care.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair in Renal and Liver Transplant Recipients.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in patients with organ transplant remains a challenge. We looked at AAA repair in patients with organ transplants at our tertiary liver and kidney transplant unit. A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database was undertaken from January 2008 to July 2018. We looked at patient demographics, type of repair, and technical success including reinterventions, perioperative transplant organ function, and 30-day and 1-year survival rate. Eight of 662 patients who underwent AAA repair had a solid organ transplant. Of these, 5 were kidney transplants, 2 liver transplants, and 1 had kidney and liver transplant; 75% were male; and average age was 63.4 (range: 49-83). All patients had asymptomatic AAAs, and 6 were treated with standard endovascular repair, 1 standard repair with iliac branch device, and 1 open repair. Adjunctive techniques such as CO2 angiograms, deployment of main body through contralateral iliac, low-profile sheaths, custom-made stent grafts, and temporary axillo-femoral shunting were used to protect transplant organs. Thirty-day survival was 100% with 1 death at 5 months from liver failure, and 1 patient has a persistent type-2 endoleak 3 years after the procedure. Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in patients with organ transplants can be undertaken using adjunctive endovascular and open surgical techniques.

Extra‐anatomical splanchnic revascularization for hybrid treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms

Treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms with endovascular or conventional surgical techniques is burdened by high risk in older patients. Furthermore, the standard hybrid approach might be not feasible in case of severe atherosclerotic disease of the peripheral vessels. This report describes an alternative hybrid procedure which consists of an innovative mini-invasive thoracic approach combined with laparotomy to perform antegrade revascularization of the visceral arteries from the ascending aorta, followed by endovascular treatment.

In vivo cerebral aneurysm models

Cerebral aneurysm rupture is a devastating event resulting in subarachnoid hemorrhage and is associated with significant morbidity and death. Up to 50% of individuals do not survive aneurysm rupture, with the majority of survivors suffering some degree of neurological deficit. Therefore, prior to aneurysm rupture, a large number of diagnosed patients are treated either microsurgically via clipping or endovascularly to prevent aneurysm filling. With the advancement of endovascular surgical techniques and devices, endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms is becoming the first-line therapy at many hospitals. Despite this fact, a large number of endovascularly treated patients will have aneurysm recanalization and progression and will require retreatment. The lack of approved pharmacological interventions for cerebral aneurysms and the need for retreatment have led to a growing interest in understanding the molecular, cellular, and physiological determinants of cerebral aneurysm pathogenesis, maturation, and rupture. To this end, the use of animal cerebral aneurysm models has contributed significantly to our current understanding of cerebral aneurysm biology and to the development of and training in endovascular devices. This review summarizes the small and large animal models of cerebral aneurysm that are being used to explore the pathophysiology of cerebral aneurysms, as well as the development of novel endovascular devices for aneurysm treatment.