Perforator Stroke Research Articles

Timing, type, and impact of thromboembolic events caused by flow diversion: a 10-year experience.

Thromboembolic (TE) events are among the most feared complications after flow diversion (FD) and have been reported to occur even with adequate dual antiplatelet therapy. Herein, the authors characterize thrombotic and embolic events that developed after FD, focusing on the morbidity of each of these events and the predisposing factors associated with their development. A retrospective analysis of aneurysms treated with FD at a single institution in the US between 2013 and 2023 was performed. The authors documented the emergence of intraprocedural and postoperative TE events. A survival analysis and a Cox regression model was conducted to identify predictors associated with these events. The authors included 651 procedures performed in 591 patients to treat 746 aneurysms. TE events occurred in 38 of the procedures performed (5.8%), causing permanent deficit in 20 patients and death in 4 patients. Eleven cases presented with acute stent thrombosis, 11 with large-vessel occlusion, and 9 with perforator strokes. At a median follow-up of 9.5 months, 73.0% of patients with an ischemic event had a modified Rankin Scale score ≤ 2. Three of the deaths were secondary to occlusion at the basilar trunk and vertebral artery. In patients with TE events in the anterior circulation, 7 of 11 patients with middle cerebral artery occlusion and 9 of 12 patients with internal carotid artery occlusion achieved independence. Time-to-event Cox regression analysis demonstrated that TE events were more frequent in patients exhibiting aspirin resistance (hazard ratio 2.66; 95% CI 1.10-6.70). TE events after FD result from multiple factors, including age, aneurysm characteristics, aneurysm location, antiplatelet resistance, and procedural factors. In our cohort, we found the highest morbidity for patients with TE events presenting with large-vessel occlusion at the middle cerebral artery, and vertebrobasilar system.

Thromboembolic Events in the Posterior Circulation After Flow Diversion—A Closer Look at Coverage of the Posterior Cerebral Artery

Flow diversion for bifurcation aneurysms requires excluding one of the branches from the parent artery, raising concern for ischemic events. We evaluated thromboembolic events and their relationship with covering the origin of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA). This retrospective analysis included patients with confirmed basilar and proximal PCA aneurysms treated with flow diversion between 2013 and 2023. Procedures were classified according to the coverage of the origin of the PCA. Thromboembolic events associated with the excluded PCA were evaluated. Of the total 28 aneurysms included, 7 were at the basilar tip, 16 in the basilar trunk, and 5 in the first segment of the PCA; 15 were treated by excluding one of the PCAs. Dual antiplatelet therapy included aspirin and ticagrelor (57.1%), aspirin and clopidogrel (35.7%), or aspirin and prasugrel (3.57%). Complete and near-complete aneurysm occlusion was achieved in 80.8% of the aneurysms treated at a median follow-up of 12.31 months. Thromboembolic complications occurred in 3 patients (2 with basilar perforator stroke and 1 with basilar in-stent thrombosis). However, the difference in these events was not statistically significant between patients with PCA coverage and those without (P= 0.46). Diminished flow and a lack of flow was seen in 8 and 7 of the covered vessels, respectively. A modified Rankin scale score of ≤2 was reported for 89.3% of patients at a median clinical follow-up of 5.5 months. The incidence of thromboembolic events is high in distal basilar and proximal PCA aneurysms; however, PCA coverage was not associated with their occurrence. There was no difference in postprocedural disability between patients whose aneurysms were treated by excluding one of the PCAs and those who were not.

Association between basilar artery stenosis features, vertebral artery stenosis and perforator stroke after stenting.

We investigated the relationship between basilar artery (BA) atherosclerotic stenosis features and vertebral artery (VA) stenosis and explored whether BA stenosis features are associated with perforator stroke after stenting. Patients with BA stenosis who underwent HRMRI and DSA were recruited. Patients were divided into proximal BA stenosis and middle-or-distal BA stenosis groups, and then subgroup analyses were performed based on whether they had VA stenosis. BA plaque features were evaluated by HRMRI. Artery stenosis was measured by DSA. The incidence of perforator stroke after BA stenting was recorded, and the potential association between BA stenosis features and perforator stroke was analyzed. One hundred and seventy-four patients were consecutively enrolled. Patients with proximal BA stenosis had a higher proportion of severe stenosis than those with middle-or-distal BA stenosis (P = 0.027). In the subgroup analysis, this difference mainly existed in patients complicated with VA stenosis (P = 0.023). Patients with proximal BA stenosis had a higher proportion of strong plaque enhancement than those with middle-or-distal BA stenosis (P < 0.001), especially in those with vertebrobasilar junction (VBJ) stenosis (P < 0.001). Perforator stroke after BA stenting occurred in five patients, of whom four had lateral wall BA plaques, four had plaque enhancement and four had proximal BA stenosis. Patients with proximal BA stenosis had a higher proportion of severe stenosis and strong plaque enhancement, particularly in patients complicated with VA stenosis and VBJ stenosis. Perforator stroke after BA stenting may be related to distribution, burden and characteristics of BA lesions.

Neonatal perforator stroke (PS): a postnatal more than a perinatal origin in preterm

Neonatal perforator stroke (PS): a postnatal more than a perinatal origin in preterm

Safety and efficacy of drug coated balloon angioplasty for intracranial atherosclerotic disease

BackgroundDrug coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty can provide sustained anti-restenotic efficacy without the limitations of permanent vascular implantation and is presumably ideal for treating intracranial atherosclerotic disease. However, the safety of...

A High Resolution MRI Study of the Relationship Between Plaque Enhancement and Perforator Stroke after Stenting for Symptomatic Vertebrobasilar Artery Stenosis

Background and PurposePerforator stroke is one of the most common complications of vertebrobasilar arterial stenting. We investigated whether perforator stroke after vertebrobasilar arterial stenting is associated with plaque enhancement in patients with severe vertebrobasilar artery stenosis. MethodsWe studied patients with symptomatic vertebrobasilar arterial stenosis who underwent stenting from January 2017 to July 2020. Patients who underwent high resolution magnetic resonance imaging were recruited among them. Demographic data, risk factors of atherosclerosis, procedure details, and characteristics of imaging were extracted from electronic health records and imaging data. Plaque features were investigated by high resolution magnetic resonance imaging. Results136 patients were enrolled in this study, 39 of whom fulfilled the inclusion criteria. 18 patients (46.2%) had obvious plaque enhancement among the 39 patients, and 21 (53.8%) had plaque non-enhancement. 21 patients (53.8%) had diffuse distribution, and 22 patients (56.4%) had irregular plaques surface. Patients were divided into plaque enhanced and plaque non-enhanced groups according to the degree of plaque enhancement. Clinical characteristics and other plaque features were similar between two groups. Procedure-related perforator stroke was identified in 4 patients (10.3%). Patients with plaque enhancement were more likely to have perforator stroke after stenting compared with those with plaque non-enhancement (22.2% versus 0%, P = 0.037). ConclusionsPlaque enhancement in high resolution magnetic resonance imaging may be associated with perforator stroke after vertebrobasilar artery stenting.

Endovascular Recanalization for Symptomatic Subacute to Chronic Atherosclerotic Basilar Artery Occlusion.

Background: The prognosis is poor for patients with symptomatic subacute to chronic atherosclerotic basilar artery occlusion (BAO) refractory to medical therapy. There has been no consensus on the optimal treatment for these patients until now.Objectives: To assess the feasibility of endovascular recanalization for patients with symptomatic subacute to chronic atherosclerotic BAO refractory to medical therapy.Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent endovascular recanalization for symptomatic subacute to chronic symptomatic atherosclerotic BAO from May 2015 to October 2018 were enrolled in our stroke center. Demographic, clinical, angiographic, procedural, and follow-up data were collected and analyzed.Results: Twenty-one patients were enrolled in this study [mean age 57.9 years; 90.5% male; median pretreatment National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score 10; median time from image-documented BAO to treatment 15 days]. The success rate of the procedure was 81.0% (17/21). Periprocedural perforator strokes occurred in two patients (9.5%, 2/21). At 90 days, there was one death due to pneumonia (unrelated to the procedure), and there were no recurrent cases of TIA or stroke in the other 16 patients. At 90 days, 76.5% (13/17) of patients achieved a good clinical outcome [mRS: modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores 0–2], and 94.1% (16/17) of patients achieved an acceptable outcome (mRS scores 0–3). During the 17.4 ± 8.0-month clinical follow-up period, one patient suffered from Wallenberg syndrome at 29 months.Conclusions: Our study suggests that endovascular recanalization for subacute to chronic symptomatic atherosclerotic BAO appears to be feasible in selected patients.

Flow diversion treatment of complex bifurcation aneurysms beyond the circle of Willis: complications, aneurysm sac occlusion, reabsorption, recurrence, and jailed branch modification at follow-up.

The purpose of this study is to present the authors' medium-term results, with special emphasis on complications, occlusion rate of the aneurysm sac (digital subtraction angiography [DSA] and MRI), and the fate of cortical branches and perforating arteries covered ("jailed") by the flow diverter (FD) stent. Between January 2010 and September 2017, 29 patients (14 female) with 30 aneurysms were treated with an FD stent. Twenty-one aneurysms were at the middle cerebral artery bifurcation, 8 were in the anterior communicating artery region, and 1 was a pericallosal artery bifurcation. Thirty-five cortical branches were covered. A single FD stent was used in all patients. Symptomatic and asymptomatic periprocedural and delayed complications were reported. DSA and MRI controls were analyzed to evaluate modification of the aneurysm sac and jailed branches. Permanent morbidity was 3.4% (1/29), due to a jailed branch occlusion, with a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 2 at the last follow-up. Mortality and permanent complication with poor prognosis (mRS score > 2) rates were 0%. The mean follow-up time for DSA and MRI (mean ± SD) was 21 ± 14.5 months (range 3-66 months) and 19 ± 16 months (range 3-41 months), respectively. The mean time to aneurysm sac occlusion (available for 24 patients), including stable remodeling, was 11.8 ± 6 months (median 13, range 3-27 months). The overall occlusion rate was 82.1% (23/28), and it was 91.7% (22/24) in the group of patients with at least 2 DSA control sequences. One recanalization occurred at 41 months posttreatment. At the time of publication, at the latest follow-up, 7 (20%) of 35 covered branches were occluded, 18 (51.4%) showed a decreased caliber, and the remaining 10 (28.5%) were unchanged. MRI T2-weighted sequences showed complete sac reabsorption in 7/29 aneurysms (24.1%), and the remaining lesions were either smaller (55.2%) or unchanged (17.2%). MRI revealed asymptomatic and symptomatic ischemic events in perforator territories in 7/28 (25%) and 4/28 (14.3%) patients, respectively, which were reversible within 24 hours. Flow diversion of bifurcation aneurysms is feasible, with low rates of permanent morbidity and mortality and high occlusion rates; however, recurrence may occur. Caliber reduction and asymptomatic occlusion of covered cortical branches as well as silent perforator stroke are common. Ischemic complications may occur with no identified predictable factors. MRI controls should be required in all patients to evaluate silent ischemic lesions and aneurysm sac reabsorption over time.

Association of Perforator Stroke After Basilar Artery Stenting With Negative Remodeling.

Background and Purpose- We try to evaluate whether plaque features and perforator stroke after intracranial stenting is associated with the arterial remodeling patterns in patients with severe basilar artery stenosis. Methods- We studied patients with symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis who underwent high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging from September 2014 to January 2017. Among them, patients with basilar artery stenosis underwent angioplasty and stenting were recruited. Arterial remodeling patterns were divided into negative or nonnegative remodeling. Plaque features were investigated by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging, which includes plaque distribution, intraplaque hemorrhage, calcification, as well as enhancement patterns. Incidence of perforator strokes after intracranial stenting was recorded. Plaque features and incidence of poststenting perforator stroke were compared between negative and nonnegative remodeling. Results- Two hundred ninety-eight consecutive patients were enrolled. Among them, 30 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. There were 11 patients (36.7%) with negative remodeling and 19 (63.3%) with nonnegative remodeling. Twenty-six patients (86.7%) had diffuse distribution, 5 patients (16.7%) had intraplaque hemorrhage, 2 patients (6.7%) had calcification, and 17 patients (65.4%) had enhancement. Three patients had perforator stroke after stenting. Plaque features were similar between negative and nonnegative remodeling groups. Patients with negative remodeling were more likely to have perforator stroke after stenting comparing with patients with nonnegative remodeling (27.3% versus 0%, P=0.041). Conclusions- Perforator stroke after basilar artery stenting may be related to negative remodeling on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging. The finding needs to be confirmed in future studies. Clinical Trial Registration- URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT02705599.

Pipeline Embolization of Vertebrobasilar Aneurysms—A Multicenter Case Series

The Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) has been increasingly used for the treatment of posterior circulation aneurysms. The purpose of the present study was to examine the clinical and angiographic outcomes of patients with vertebrobasilar aneurysms treated with the PED. We performed a retrospective review of vertebrobasilar aneurysms treated with the PED at 4 high-volume neurovascular centers. Patient, aneurysm, and procedural data were collected, including perioperative and delayed complications. Aneurysm occlusion on follow-up imaging studies was defined as complete (100%), near-complete (>90%), or incomplete (<90%) occlusion. The cohort included 35 patients with 37 vertebrobasilar aneurysms who underwent 36 treatment sessions. Of the 35 patients, 10 were men (29%), and the mean patient age was 54.1 years (range, 32-75). Eight patients (23%) underwent urgent treatment because of a ruptured aneurysm (n= 6), brainstem perforator stroke (n= 1), or post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm (n= 1). Of the 37 aneurysms, 22 arose from the vertebral artery (59%) and 15 from the basilar artery (41%). Also, 19 were saccular aneurysms (51%), with a mean size of 7.7 mm (range, 1.7-38.0); 17 were fusiform aneurysms (46%), with a mean size of 11.0 mm (range, 4.3-34); and 1 was a 2.9-mm blister aneurysm. The overall procedural complication rate was 14% (5 of 36), including 3 neurologically symptomatic complications. At a mean follow-up period of 14 months (range, 3-59), 24 of 34 aneurysms (71%) were completely occluded and 29 of 34 (85%) were completely or near-completely occluded. Our results show that Pipeline embolization of vertebrobasilar aneurysms is associated with acceptable occlusion and complication rates.

Angioplasty and Stenting of Intracranial Arterial Stenosis in Perforator-Bearing Segments: A Comparison Between the Anterior and the Posterior Circulation.

Background and Purpose: Subgroup analysis of the SAMMPRIS trial showed a higher rate of periprocedural perforator strokes with the Wingspan stent in the basilar artery in patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). It remains unclear whether angioplasty (PTA) alone or in combination with other stent types (PTAS) will yield similar results in perforator-bearing segments of the anterior and posterior circulation.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the periprocedural complication rate, long term outcome and stroke etiology in 59 consecutive patients with ICAS of the middle cerebral artery (79 treatments) and 67 patients with ICAS of the intracranial vertebral and basilar artery (76 treatments) treated with PTA or PTAS from 2007 to 2015 in a high-volume neuro-interventional center.Results: Periprocedural symptomatic ischemic strokes occurred significantly more often in patients with posterior vs. anterior ICAS treatment (14.5 vs. 5.1%, p = 0.048). During a mean follow-up period of 19 (±23.7) months, 5 recurrent ischemic and 2 hemorrhagic strokes (10.4%) occurred in the territory of the treated artery in posterior circulation compared to 2 ischemic strokes in the anterior circulation (3.4%, p = 0.549). Overall, significantly more patients treated for a posterior ICAS suffered a periprocedural or follow-up stroke [25% vs. 11.4%, p = 0.024]. Periprocedural ischemic strokes were predominantly perforator strokes (73.3%), while all ischemic strokes during follow-up were caused by distal embolization (57.1%) or delayed stent occlusion (42.9%). There was no difference between PTA alone and PTAS.Conclusion: The periprocedural and long-term symptomatic stroke rate was significantly higher in the treatment of perforator-bearing arteries in the posterior circulation. There was no difference between PTA alone or PTAS.

Relationship between stroke recurrence, infarct pattern, and vascular distribution in patients with symptomatic intracranial stenosis

ObjectiveIn view of recent literature suggesting that stroke recurrence and risks related to intervention may be related to plaque physiology/instability, our study sought to discern the pattern of stroke and...

Advanced Imaging of Intracranial Atherosclerosis: Lessons from Interventional Cardiology.

Intracranial atherosclerosis is a major cause of ischemic stroke. Patients with a high degree of stenosis have a significant rate of stroke despite medical therapy. Two randomized trials of stenting have failed to show benefit. Improving periprocedural complication rates and patient selection may improve stenting outcomes. Fractional flow reserve (FFR), intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) are intravascular imaging techniques employed to improve patient selection and stent placement in interventional cardiology. FFR has been shown to improve cardiovascular outcomes when used in patient selection for intervention. Studies of FFR in intracranial atherosclerosis show that the measure may predict which plaques lead to stroke. IVUS is used in cardiology to quantify stenosis and assist with stent placement. Comparisons with histology show that it can reliably characterize plaques. Several case reports of IVUS in intracranial arteries show the technique to be feasible and indicate it may improve stent placement. Plaque characteristics on IVUS may help identify vulnerable plaques. In interventional cardiology, OCT provides excellent visualization of vessel geometry and is useful periprocedurally. Images reliably identify thin-capped fibroatheromas and other plaque features. Case reports indicate that OCT is safe for use in intracranial arteries. OCT can be used to identify perforator vessels and so may be useful in avoiding perforator strokes, a common complication of stenting. Plaque characteristics on OCT may be useful in patient selection.

Factors associated with perforator stroke after selective basilar artery angioplasty or stenting

Background and purposePerforator stroke is one of the most common complications of elective intracranial angioplasty and/or stenting, particularly in the basilar artery. Factors associated with the risk of post-procedural perforator...

Evaluation of basilar artery atherosclerotic plaque distribution by 3D MR vessel wall imaging.

Basilar artery (BA) atherosclerosis is an important cause of perforator stroke in the brainstem due to plaque involvement of the perforator ostia in BA dorsal or lateral walls. Therefore, to acquire information on plaque distribution is important to better understand and prevent the perforator stroke. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate BA plaque distribution with 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) vessel wall imaging. Consecutive patients with cerebrovascular symptoms and stenosis or irregular luminal surface of BA were recruited and underwent BA 3D proton density-weighted volume isotropic turbo spin echo acquisition (VISTA) imaging at 3T. The cross-sectional and longitudinal distribution of BA plaque were analyzed with a custom-developed tool. In all, 85 BA plaques were detected in 61 recruited patients. For cross-sectional distribution, the prevalence of plaque involvement in the ventral, left, dorsal, and right quadrant of BA wall was 74.1%, 70.6%, 67.1%, and 62.4%, respectively. Of the 85 plaques, 17.7% involved one quadrant and 82.3% involved two or more quadrants. The most severe plaque region was more commonly situated at lateral walls (66.1%) as compared to ventral (23.2%, P < 0.001) and dorsal walls (10.6%, P < 0.001). Longitudinally, plaques were more frequently found to occur at BA segment distal than proximal to anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) (63.5% vs. 36.5%). Taking advantage of 3D MR vessel wall imaging, BA plaques were found to more likely affect lateral walls and form in BA distal to AICA, where most perforators originate, suggesting that it might be useful to characterize BA plaque distribution before aggressive treatment for prevention of perforator stroke. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1592-1599.

Fractional Flow Assessment for the Evaluation of Intracranial Atherosclerosis: A Feasibility Study

Purpose: Current studies on endovascular intervention for intracranial atherosclerosis select patients based on luminal stenosis. Coronary studies demonstrated that fractional flow measurements assess ischemia better than anatomical stenosis and can guide patient selection for intervention. We similarly postulated that fractional flow can be used to assess ischemic stroke risk. Methods: This was a feasibility study to assess the technical use and safety of applying a pressure guidewire to measure fractional flow across intracranial stenoses. Twenty patients with severe intracranial stenosis were recruited. The percentage of luminal stenosis, distal to proximal pressure ratios (fractional flow) and the fractional flow gradients across the stenosis were measured. Procedural success rate and safety outcomes were documented. Results: All 20 patients had successful crossing of stenosis by the pressure guidewire. Ten patients underwent angioplasty, and 5 had stenting performed. There was one perforator stroke, but not related to the use of the pressure wire. For the 13 patients with complete pre- and postintervention data, the mean preintervention stenosis, fractional flow and translesional pressure gradient were 76.2%, 0.66 and 29.9 mm Hg, whilst the corresponding postintervention measurements were 24.7%, 0.88 and 10.9 mm Hg, respectively. Fractional flow (r = -0.530, p = 0.001) and the translesional pressure gradient (r = 0.501, p = 0.002) only had a modest correlation with the luminal stenosis. Conclusion: Fractional flow measurement by floating a pressure guidewire across the intracranial stenosis was technically feasible and safe in this study. Further studies are needed to validate its use for ischemic stroke risk assessment.

Stenting for symptomatic intracranial vertebrobasilar artery stenosis: 30-day results in a high-volume stroke center

ObjectivesSymptomatic intracranial vertebrobasilar artery stenosis (IVBS) carries a high annual risk of recurrent stroke. Endovascular therapy was a promising technique but recent trials suggest it may carry a risk of periprocedual complications especially in inexperienced hands. This prospective study was to evaluate the safety of endovascular therapy for severe symptomatic IVBS in a high volume stroke centre. Patients and MethodPatients with symptomatic IVBS caused by 70–99% stenosis despite medical treatment of at least one antiplatelet agent and statin were enrolled. The patients were treated either with balloon-mounted stent or balloon pre-dilation plus self-expanding stent as determined by the operators following a guideline. The primary outcome was 30-day stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) and death after stenting. The secondary outcome was successful stent deployment. The baseline characteristics and outcomes of patients with basilar artery (BA) lesions and patients with vertebral artery V4 segment lesions (BA group vs V4 group) were compared. And the outcome of different Mori type lesions was also compared. ResultFrom September 2013 to September 2014, 105 patients with stroke or TIA due to intracranial IVBS were screened and 97 patients were treated by stenting, including 52 patients with BA stenosis and 45 patients with V4 stenosis. The rate of 30-day stroke, TIA and death was 7.1%. All the three strokes happened in the BA group and were perforator strokes. The successful stent deployment rate was 100%. General anesthesia was more preferred in the BA group than in the V4 groups (96.2% vs 75.6%, p=0.005). The Apollo stent was used more for Mori A lesions (30.5% vs 7.9%, p=0.011) and had lower degree of residual stenosis (8.6% vs 12.6%, p=0.014) than Wingspan stent. Mori C lesions were more likely to have higher degree of residual stenosis than Mori A lesion (15.3% vs 7.4%, p=0.005). ConclusionThe short-term safety of endovascular stenting for patients with severe symptomatic IVBS in a high volume stroke centre was acceptable. Mori A lesions may have lower residual stenosis rate than the Mori C type lesions.

Angioplasty and Stenting.

The high rate of recurrent strokes in patients with intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAS) despite medical therapy prompted intracranial angioplasty and/or stenting an adjunctive treatment option. The minute calibers of cerebral arteries, the relative paucity of supporting medial and adventitia layers, the presence of end-anastomosing perforator branches, and the vascular tortuosity from groin to head all demand specialized operative skills and dedicated tools. Since the stroke mechanism of ICAS is diverse, patient selection for endovascular treatment requires a sound understanding of the underlying pathophysiology. Patients with territorial cerebral hypo-perfusion associated with a high-grade steno-occlusive lesion may benefit most from endovascular revascularization. On the other hand, patients with atheromatous branch disease may stand a higher risk of perforator stroke from 'snow plowing' effect if angioplasty or stenting is inadvertently performed. A joint evaluation on the indication, procedural risks and benefits, and an individualized peri-operative care plan by a stroke neurologist and a neuro-interventionist is crucial prior to a procedure. Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Wingspan for patients who have developed two or more strokes despite aggressive medical management. The treatment indication will likely evolve in parallel with the advancement of endovascular techniques and our understanding of ICAS.

The safety of Pipeline flow diversion in fusiform vertebrobasilar aneurysms: a consecutive case series with longer-term follow-up from a single US center.

OBJECT Pessimism exists regarding flow diversion for posterior circulation aneurysms because of reports of perforator territory infarcts and delayed ruptures. The authors report the results of patients who underwent Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) flow diversion using novel strategies for treatment of fusiform posterior circulation aneurysms, and compare these results with those from previously reported series. METHODS The authors conducted a retrospective review of data from consecutive patients with fusiform vertebrobasilar artery aneurysms treated with the PED. RESULTS This review resulted in the identification of 12 such patients (mean [± SD] age 55.1 ± 14.1 years). Eleven patients had symptoms; 1 had a dissecting aneurysm identified on imaging for neck pain. The average aneurysm size was 13.25 ± 4.5 mm. None of the aneurysms were ruptured or previously treated. The average clinical follow-up duration was 22.1 ± 10.7 months and radiological follow-up was 14.5 ± 11.1 months from the index PED treatment. One patient suffered a perforator stroke and had a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 4 at last follow-up. Another patient had a retained stent pusher requiring retrieval via surgical cut-down but recovered to an mRS score of 0 at last follow-up. Eleven (91.7%) of 12 patients recovered to an mRS score of 0 or 1. Two patients had aneurysmal remnants at 7 and 10 months, respectively, after the index PED, which were retreated with PEDs. At last follow-up, all 12 aneurysms were occluded and PEDs were patent. The minimum follow-up duration was 12 months from the index PED treatment; no patient experienced delayed hemorrhage, stroke, or in-stent stenosis. CONCLUSIONS Flow diversion with selective adjunctive techniques is evolving to become a safer treatment option for posterior circulation aneurysms. This is the longest clinical follow-up duration reported for a single-center experience of flow-diversion treatment of these aneurysms.

Outcomes of middle cerebral artery angioplasty and stenting with Wingspan at a high-volume center.

This study was to investigate the periprocedural stroke rates, safety, and long-term effect of Wingspan stenting for symptomatic severe stenosis of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) at a high-volume center. Between July 2007 and April 2013, 196 consecutive patients with severe MCA atherosclerotic stenosis (≥70%) who were treated with Wingspan stenting were retrospectively studied. All patients had arterial stenosis-related temporary ischemic attack or strokes. The demographic data, cerebral angiography, technical success rate, periprocedural complications, and clinical and imaging follow-up were analyzed. The successful stenting rate was 98.0%, and the stenosis rate was improved from pre-stenting (80.6 ± 8.3 %) to post-stenting (15.5 ± 6.8%). The 30-day periprocedural stroke or death rate was 7.1%, with a disabling or fatal rate of 2.6%. The perioprocedural stroke rate was significantly (P < 0.01) greater in the early learning stage (16.0%) than in the later technical maturation stage (4.1%). The total periprocedural ischemic and perforator stroke rates were greater in patients with the most stenosis in the distal MCA 1/3 segment (6.8 and 5.7%, respectively) than in the proximal and middle 2/3 segments (0.9 and 0%, respectively). The ipsilateral stroke or death rate beyond 30 days (6-69 months, mean 30 ± 16) was 4.8%, with the 1- and 2-year cumulative stroke rates of 9.6 and 12.1%, respectively. Imaging follow-up 6-69 months (mean 10.9 ± 8.5) revealed restenosis in 21 cases (20.4 %). Intracranial stenting of MCA stenoses may have the potential of better clinical outcomes if patients are properly selected and treated by an experienced operator at a high-volume center.