Introduction: ISAT demonstrated that coiling is effective for aneurysm treatment in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH); however, complete occlusion of wide-necked aneurysms frequently requires adjuvants relatively contraindicated in SAH. As such, a limited “dome occlusive” strategy is often pursued in the setting of SAH. We report a single institution series of coiling of acutely ruptured aneurysms followed by delayed flow diversion for definitive, curative occlusion.
Methods: A prospectively collected IRB-approved database was screened for patients with aneurysmal SAH who were initially treated by coil embolization followed by planned flow diversion at a single academic medical institution. Peri-procedural outcomes, complications, and angiographic follow-up were analyzed.
Results: 50 patients underwent both acute coiling followed by delayed, planned flow diversion. Average aneurysm size on initial presentation was 9.5mm. Common aneurysm locations included Pcomm (36%), Acomm (30%), MCA (10%), ACA (10%), and vertebral (5%). Dome occlusion was achieved in all cases following initial coiling. Second-stage implantation of a flow diverting stent was achieved in 49/50 cases (98%). Follow-up angiography was available for 33/50 patients (66%), with mean follow-up of 11 months. 27 patients (82%) had complete angiographic occlusion at last follow up. All patients with residual filling at follow-up still had dome occlusion. There were no mortalities (0%). Major complication rate for stage I coiling was 2% (1 patient with intra-procedural aneurysm re-rupture causing increase in a previous ICH). Major complication rate for stage 2 flow diversion was 2% (1 patient with ischemic stroke following noncompliance with dual antiplatelet regimen). Minor complications occurred in 2 additional patients (4%) with transient neurological deficits.
Conclusions: Staged endovascular treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms with acute dome-occlusive coil embolization followed by delayed flow diversion is a safe and effective treatment strategy.
Patient Care: Expanding the scope of endovascular management of acutely ruptured intracranial aneurysms
Learning Objectives: Endovascular management of acutely ruptured aneurysms.