Flow-Diversion Treatment of Unruptured Saccular Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Flow diversion for anterior communicating artery aneurysms required further investigation.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to analyze outcomes after treatment of anterior communicating artery aneurysms with flow-diverter stents.

DATA SOURCES: A systematic search of 3 data bases was performed for studies published from 2008 to 2018.

STUDY SELECTION: According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we included studies reporting anterior communicating artery aneurysms treated with flow diversion.

DATA ANALYSIS: Random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool the following: aneurysm occlusion rate, complications, and factors influencing the studied outcomes.

DATA SYNTHESIS: We included 14 studies and 148 unruptured saccular anterior communicating artery aneurysms treated with flow diversion. The long-term complete/near-complete (O'Kelly-Marotta C–D) occlusion rate was 87.4% (91/105; 95% CI, 81.3%–93.6%; I² = 0%) (mean radiologic follow-up of 11 months). The treatment-related complication rate was 8.6% (14/126; 95% CI, 4%–13.1%; I² = 0%), with morbidity and mortality rates of 3.5% (5/126; 95% CI, 2%–7%; I² = 0%) and 2.5% (2/148; 95% CI, 0.3%–5%; I² = 0%), respectively. Most complications were periprocedural (12/126 = 7%; 95% CI, 3%–11%; I² = 0%). Thromboembolic events were slightly higher compared with hemorrhagic complications (10/126 = 6%; 95% CI, 2%–10%; I² = 0% and 4/126 = 3%; 95% CI, 1%–6%; I² = 0%). Branching arteries (A2 or the recurrent artery of Heubner) covered by the stent were occluded in 16% (7/34; 95% CI, 3.5%–28%; I² = 25%) of cases. Pre- and posttreatment low-dose and high-dose of antiplatelet therapy was not associated with significantly different complication and occlusion rates.

LIMITATIONS: We reviewed small and retrospective series.

CONCLUSIONS: Flow diversion for unruptured saccular anterior communicating artery aneurysms appears to be an effective alternative treatment for lesions difficult to treat with coiling or microsurgical clipping. The treatment-related complication rate was relatively low. However, larger studies are needed to confirm these results.

ABBREVIATIONS:

AcomA: anterior communicating artery
ASA: acetylsalicylic acid
AT: antiplatelet therapy
CP: clopidogrel
IQR: interquartile range
OKM: O'Kelly-Marotta
PRISMA: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

Anterior communicating artery (AcomA) aneurysms are among the most common intracranial aneurysms. Determining the best treatment strategy for such lesions is often difficult because AcomA aneurysms may present a therapeutic challenge for both clipping (deep location, anatomic variability, perforator arteries)¹ and endovascular treatment (wide-neck lesions incorporating branching vessels).² In addition, AcomA aneurysms may have a risk of rupture higher than those in other locations.³ On the basis of their ability to reconstruct the parent artery, the off-label uses of flow-diverter stents are constantly extended, especially for aneurysms with unfavorable anatomy.^2,4,5 Flow-diversion treatment of complex AcomA aneurysms has been recently reported as an alternative strategy when conventional coiling or stent-assisted coiling is not a feasible option. However, data describing treatment-related outcomes of flow diversion for lesions located at the AcomA region are scanty, and the efficacy and safety of this technique remain unclear. Our meta-analysis examined occlusion rates and procedure-related complications of saccular unruptured AcomA aneurysms treated with flow-diverter stents.

Materials and Methods

Literature Search

A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Ovid EMBASE was conducted for studies published from January 2008 to September 2018. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines⁶ were followed. The key words and the detailed search strategy are reported in On-line Table 1, and the studies included in our review are reported in On-line Table 2. The inclusion criterion was the following: studies reporting series with patients with unruptured AcomA aneurysms treated with flow-diverter stents. Exclusion criteria were the following: 1) case reports, 2) review articles, 3) studies published in languages other than English, 4) in vitro/animal studies, and 5) series reporting aneurysms located at the A1 or distal to the AcomA region (A2, A3). In cases of overlapping patient populations, only the series with the largest number of patients or most detailed data were included. Two independent readers screened articles in their entirety to determine eligibility for inclusion. A third author solved discrepancies.

Data Collection

We extracted the following information: 1) technical success rate, 2) occlusion rate, 3) treatment-related complications, and 4) clinical outcome. Occlusion and complication rates were analyzed on the basis of the influence of the following: 1) aneurysm size (saccular aneurysms, small- and medium-sized versus large-giant); 2) patient age (younger versus older than 60 years; 3) type of flow-diverter stents; 4) first treatment versus retreatment; and 5) flow diverter alone versus flow diverter plus coiling.

Complete/near-complete aneurysm occlusion was defined on the basis of the following: O'Kelly-Marotta (OKM) grade⁷ C–D, when digital subtraction angiography follow-up was available or when “complete occlusion” and “neck remnant” were used in the study. Treatment-related complications were divided into the following: 1) periprocedural/early events (within 30 days) and delayed events (after 30 days); 2) transient (asymptomatic events or complete neurologic recovery) and permanent complications (symptomatic events with permanent deficits); and 3) ischemic and hemorrhagic complications. The angiographic outcome of covered arteries (A2 or the recurrent artery of Heubner) was evaluated as the following: 1) arterial narrowing, or 2) arterial occlusion. Finally, good outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2 or a Glasgow Outcome Score of 4–5, or it was assumed if the study used the terms “no morbidity,” “good recovery,” or “no symptoms.”

Outcomes

The primary objectives of this study were to define the safety (treatment-related complications, mortality rate, and neurologic outcomes) and the efficacy (technical success rate, angiographic occlusion) of AcomA aneurysms treated with flow diversion. The secondary objectives were to define the influence of aneurysm, patient, and treatment characteristics on the analyzed outcomes.

Quality Scoring

The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale⁸ was used for the quality assessment of the included studies (details in On-line Tables 3 and 4). The quality assessment was performed by 2 authors independently, and a third author solved discrepancies.

Statistical Analysis

We estimated, from each cohort, the cumulative prevalence (percentage) and 95% confidence interval for each outcome. Heterogeneity of the data was assessed by the Higgins index (I²), and subsequently, the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model was applied. The graphic representation was performed with a forest plot. The meta-regression and funnel plot followed by the Egger linear regression test were analyzed, respectively, to evaluate the heterogeneity and bias. To compare the percentages and to calculate the P values, we used a Z-test for 2 proportions. Differences were considered significant at P < .05. Meta-analysis was performed with ProMeta-2 (Internovi, Cesena, Italy) and OpenMeta[Analyst] (http://www.cebm.brown.edu/openmeta/).

Results

Literature Review

Studies included in our meta-analysis are summarized in On-line Table 2. The search flow diagram is shown in On-line Fig 1.

Fourteen studies and 148 AcomA aneurysms treated with flow-diverter stents were included in our review.

Quality of Studies

Studies included in our review were the following: Eleven studies were retrospective single-center series, whereas 3 studies were prospective multicentric series. The latter studies were rated as “high-quality” studies. Details of the rating of the included studies are reported in On-line Tables 3 and 4.

Patient Population and Aneurysm Characteristics

Overall, 148 patients with unruptured saccular AcomA aneurysms were treated with flow-diverter stents (On-line Table 5). The mean age of patients was 57 years (range, 24–80 years), and the proportion of male patients was 46% (95% CI, 34%–58%). Mean aneurysm size was 6.2 mm (median, 5.5 mm; interquartile range [IQR], 5–7 mm; range, 3–18 mm). The proportion of previously ruptured aneurysms treated with other techniques in the acute phase was 60.4% (55/91; 95% CI, 50%–70%), and the proportion of aneurysms recanalized and retreated with flow-diverter stents was 50.4% (54/107; 95% CI, 41%–59%).

Treatment Characteristics

The most common stent used was the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED; Covidien, Irvine, California) (97/148 = 65.6%; 95% CI, 57%–72%), followed by the Flow-Redirection Endoluminal Device (FRED; MicroVention, Tustin, California) (21/148 = 14.2%; 95% CI, 9%–21%), the Silk flow diverter (Balt Extrusion, Montmorency, France) (18/148 = 12.1%; 95% CI, 7%–18%), and the Surpass stent (Stryker Neurovascular, Kalamazoo, Michigan) (12/148 = 8.1%; 95% CI, 4.4%–13%). The proportion of patients treated with flow diversion plus coiling was 10.2% (10/98; 95% CI, 5.4%–17%), and the proportion of patients treated with multiple stents was 6.7% (10/148; 95% CI, 3.5%–12%). The mean radiologic (DSA) follow-up was 11 months (range, 4–18 months; median, 12 months; IQR, 9.7–12 months), and the mean clinical follow-up was 11 months (range, 6–19 months; median, 12 months; IQR, 6–12 months).

Angiographic Outcomes

The technical success rate was 95.5% (142/145; 95% CI, 92%–98%; I² = 0%) (Table). Immediate angiographic occlusion (OKM C–D) after treatment was obtained in 14% (5/35; 95% CI, 4%–23%; I² = 19%) of aneurysms. The rate of long-term complete/near-complete occlusion (OKM C–D) was 87.4% (91/105; 95% CI, 81.3%–93.6%; I² = 0%). Meta-regression showed a nonsignificant variation of the effect size (P = .278), and the funnel plot, followed by the Egger linear regression test, excludes publication bias (P = .056) (On-line Fig 2). The rate of long-term complete occlusion (OKM D) was 84.9% (66/80; 95% CI, 76.8%–93%; I² = 12.5%).

View this table:

Treatment-related outcomes after flow-diversion treatment of AcomA aneurysms

Treatment-Related Complications

The overall complication rate was 8.6% (14/126; 95% CI, 4%–13.1%; I² = 0%) (Table). Meta-regression showed a significant decrease in the effect size (P = .443) during the analyzed periods (P = .022), whereas the funnel plot, followed by the Egger linear regression test, excludes publication bias (P = .407) (On-line Fig 3). Periprocedural/early complications were 7% (12/126; 95% CI, 3%–11%; I² = 0%). Delayed complications were 1.8% (2/126; 95% CI, 1%–5%; I² = 0%). Transient and permanent complications were 6% (9/126; 95% CI, 2.7%–11%; I² = 0%) and 3.5% (5/126; 95% CI, 2%–7%; I² = 0%), respectively.

Overall, ischemic/thromboembolic, and hemorrhagic events were 6% (10/126; 95% CI, 2%–10%; I² = 0%) and 3% (4/126; 95% CI, 1%–6%; I² = 0%), respectively. Hemorrhagic complications were related to intracerebral hemorrhages during the periprocedural period. In only 1 case was the intraparenchymal hematoma associated with permanent sequalae. The rate of acute in-stent thrombosis was 4% (5/126; 95% CI, 1.3%–8%; I² = 0%), whereas chronic in-stent stenosis (>50%) was 4.8% (2/75; 95% CI, 2%–9%; I² = 0%). There were no cases of aneurysm rupture after treatment during follow-up.

The overall rate of flow modifications of vessels covered by flow diverters (A2 or artery of Heubner) was 28% (12/34; 95% CI, 1.5%–5%; I² = 76%). The rate of occlusion of covered arteries during follow-up was 16% (7/34; 95% CI, 3.5%–28%; I² = 22%), whereas the rate of arterial narrowing was 11% (5/34; 95% CI, 0.7%–20%; I² = 8%). Symptoms related to flow changes on the covered A2 or the recurrent artery of Heubner were reported in 3 cases: 1 case of transitory hemiparesis due to slow flow on the covered A2 immediately after stent deployment, 1 case of transient facial palsy due to the coverage of the artery of Heubner, and 1 case of an asymptomatic ischemic lesion on the territory of the artery of Heubner that was detected with the MR imaging 4 months after treatment.

Treatment-related mortality was 2.5% (2/148; 95% CI, 0.3%–5%; I² = 0%), and the rate of good neurologic outcome was 95% (108/114; 95% CI, 93%–98%; I² = 0%).

Factors Related to Aneurysm Occlusion

Overall, the occlusion rate was comparable among patients younger-versus-older than 60 years (P = .7), type of flow-diverter stent, flow diversion as a first treatment or retreatment of recanalized aneurysms, and flow diverter alone versus flow diverter plus coiling. There was a trend toward higher occlusion rates for aneurysms of small and medium-sized versus large-giant (32/35 = 90%; 95% CI, 80%–95%; I² = 0% versus 11/14 = 70%; 95% CI, 50%–85%; I² = 42%) (P = .07).

Factors Related to Complications after Treatment

There was no statistically significant difference in complication rates in relation to patient age, first treatment versus retreatment, and flow diverter with-versus-without coiling. Although not statistically significant, complications were higher for large/giant aneurysms (3/14 = 20%; 95% CI, 5%–30%; I² = 0%) compared to small/medium sized lesions (2/35 = 7%; 95% CI, 2%–16%; I² = 0%). The PED was associated with 12% complications (9/75; 95% CI, 6%–21%); the FRED stent, with 14% (3/21; 95% CI, 4%–30%); and the Silk stent, with 6% (1/17; 95% CI, 2%–25%). Only 1 series described treatment-related complications after using the Surpass stent, reporting no adverse events (On-line Table 6).

Relationship between Antiplatelet Therapy and Treatment-Related Outcomes

Antiplatelet therapy (AT) before treatment was dichotomized into 2 groups: acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), 81–160 mg, + clopidogrel (CP), 75 mg, and ASA, 250–325 mg, + CP, 75 mg, 3–7 days before treatment. The rate of periprocedural complications was 5% (1/20; 95% CI, 4%–15%; I² = 0%) and 6% (3/40; 95% CI, 2%–14%; I² = 0%) (P = .8), respectively (On-line Tables 7–9).

AT therapy after treatment was dichotomized into the following groups: ASA, 81–100 mg. + CP, 75 mg, and ASA, 160–300 mg, + CP, 75 mg, for 3–6 months. The rates of delayed complications were 0% (0/23) and 3.5% (1/28; 95% CI, 3%–11%; I² = 0%) (P = .36), respectively. Long-term occlusion rates (OKM grades C–D) were 94.5% (28/29; 95% CI, 86%–98%; I² = 0%) and 88% (17/19; 95% CI, 76%–94%; I² = 0%) (P = .41), respectively.

In addition, treatment-related outcomes were evaluated on the basis of the duration of the dual AT: “short” duration of the dual AT (ASA + CP until 3 months) versus “long” duration of the dual AT (at least until 6 months). In both groups, ASA was continued for about 1 year or for life. Overall, treatment-related complications were 5% (2/30; 95% CI, 3%–12%; I² = 0%) and 6.5% (5/54; 95% CI, 4%–13%; I² = 0%) among the groups with short and long duration of the dual AT, respectively (P = .77). Complete/near-complete occlusion rates were 93% (25/27; 95% CI, 83%–98%; I² = 0%) and 91% (20/22; 95% CI, 82%–98%; I² = 0%), among the groups with short and long duration of the dual AT, respectively (P = .8).

Study Heterogeneity

Heterogeneity was low for all except 1 of the analyzed outcomes (the overall rate of flow changes among covered vessels).

Discussion

When we combined data from 14 studies, our meta-analysis underlined several important findings related to the flow-diversion treatment of aneurysms originating from the AcomA region. In general, our results demonstrated that complex unruptured AcomA aneurysms can be successfully treated with flow-diverter stents with a high rate of long-term angiographic occlusion and an acceptable rate of treatment-related complications.

Angiographic Outcomes

Successful stent deployment was achieved in 95.5% of cases, demonstrating that flow diversion is a straightforward technique even in complex anatomic situations such as the AcomA region. Given that aneurysm occlusion with flow-diverter stents is a progressive process, only 14% of aneurysms were occluded immediately after treatment, whereas 87% and 85% of the lesions presented with adequate (OKM C–D) and complete (OKM D) occlusion during 1 year of follow-up, respectively. In a large meta-analysis of nearly 1500 AcomA aneurysms treated endovascularly (excluding flow-diverter stents), Fang et al⁹ reported a quite high rate of immediate occlusion (88%). However, although their immediate occlusion rate was higher compared with our results, complete/near-complete occlusion during 6 months of follow-up was 85%, underlining that long-term angiographic outcomes after flow diversion for AcomA aneurysms are comparable with other endovascular techniques.

Recently, intrasaccular flow disruption with the Woven EndoBridge device (WEB; Sequent Medical, Aliso Viejo, California) is increasingly used with promising results. However, series focusing on AcomA aneurysms showed approximately a 60% long-term adequate occlusion after treatment with the WEB.¹⁰ In addition, emerging devices for neck protection, such as pCONus (phenox, Bochum, Germany) stents, have been developed to treat wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms. A recent series of 36 AcomA aneurysms treated with the pCONus showed an 80% complete/near-complete occlusion rate.¹¹ Finally, Y-stent-assisted coiling of AcomA aneurysms appears to be associated with 85%–88%^12,13 complete/near-complete occlusion, though this technique is, in general, technically more complex. Accordingly, Ko et al¹² reported 9 AcomA aneurysms treated with Y-stent placement. All of them were occluded during follow-up, but 2 patients experienced acute in-stent thrombosis and 1 patient had iatrogenic subarachnoid hemorrhage related to aneurysm perforation.

In our study, flow diversion was also effective for the treatment of recanalized AcomA aneurysms (On-line Table 6). Lin et al¹⁴ reported a small series of 6 AcomA aneurysms with recurrences after clipping; occlusion was achieved in 5 of them without treatment-related complications. This outcome is in accordance with those in larger series analyzing treatment-related outcomes of flow diversion used as a retreatment strategy.¹⁵ In addition, we found comparable angiographic results among AcomA aneurysms treated with flow diverters alone or in conjunction with coiling. When we investigated the literature, this result appears contradictory: Szikora et al,¹⁶ in a series of 19 wide-neck aneurysms, reported no differences in occlusion rates among lesions treated with or without coil packing, whereas Lin et al¹⁷ showed higher rates of complete occlusion in the group of aneurysms treated with the PED + coils. However, most aneurysms included in our review were unruptured, small lesions (mean size, 6 mm), and additional coiling was not mandatory in most cases.

The device configuration was rarely reported in the included series, and outcome comparison between ipsilateral A1–A2 and ipsilateral A1 to contralateral A2 stent configuration was not possible. In the largest available series of AcomA aneurysms treated with flow-diverter stents, Colby et al² described 41 patients treated with PEDs deployed from the ipsilateral A1 to the ipsilateral A2 in 94% of patients and from the A1 to the contralateral A2 in the remaining 6% of patients. The authors reported 85% complete/near-complete occlusion and a 9% complication rate.

Treatment-Related Complications

Treatment-related morbidity after flow diversion in small or distal vessels is reported to be close to 10%.^4,5,18 However, flow diversion for aneurysms arising from the AcomA complex should be considered separately due to the angioarchitecture and flow dynamics of this region that present the following: 1) frequent anatomic variations (such as the asymmetry of the A1 segments); 2) several perforating arteries supplying important structures such as the optic chiasm, the anterior hypothalamus, and the anterior perforated substance; and 3) the recurrent artery of Heubner (in general originating from the A1–A2 junction), which perfuses the striatum and the anterior limb of the internal capsule.¹ Accordingly, injury to these arteries may result in a wide range of serious neurologic sequelae, including memory disorders, changes of personality, electrolyte imbalance, and motor deficits.¹ When we investigated the literature, our meta-analysis found 8.6% of complications related to flow-diversion treatment of AcomA aneurysms. Most of them occurred in the periprocedural period after treatment (7%). Permanent deficits and mortality related to the treatment were 3.5% and 2.5%, respectively. Not surprising, ischemic events were the most common complications (6%), together with acute in-stent thrombosis (4%). Gawlitza et al¹⁹ reported 2 cases of transient ischemic complications (1 case of facial palsy and 1 case of lacunar infarct detected at MR imaging) related to the covered artery of Heubner. In a series of 9 AcomA aneurysms, Pierot et al²⁰ reported 1 case of thromboembolism and 1 case of flow-diverter occlusion 4 days after treatment without permanent neurologic deficits.

Another important concern is the patency of the arteries covered with flow diverters.²¹ Despite very few studies focused on the angiographic outcome of the covered A2 segment (or main branching vessels such as the artery of Heubner), we found a 16% occlusion rate of jailed arteries during follow-up. Pistocchi et al²² reported 5 cases of occlusion and 4 cases of slow flow of the covered A2 segment among 14 patients with AcomA aneurysms treated with the Silk stent. In this series, only 1 patient experienced a transitory hemiparesis due to the sluggish flow on the covered A2, which regressed after blood pressure augmentation. Saleme et al,²³ in a series of 9 AcomA aneurysms treated with the PED, described 2 cases of asymptomatic A2 occlusion during follow-up. In a recent meta-analysis of nearly 1200 supraclinoid internal carotid artery vessels covered with flow-diverter stents, the overall rate of occlusion was 7%, with important differences among the ophthalmic artery (6%), anterior choroidal artery (1%), and posterior communicating artery (20%),²¹ with approximately 1% symptomatic occlusions. One of the most important mechanisms related to branch preservation is the pressure gradient between the artery and its covered branches. In general, when the occlusion progresses slowly, the collateral circulation can efficiently supply the territory of the jailed artery and the occlusion can be tolerated in most cases.

Finally, meta-regression showed a significant (P = .022) decrease of the complication rate during 7 years (from 2011 to 2018), probably due to improvement of the operator experience, 3D angiographic images, and better case selection and posttreatment patient management.

Treatment-Related Outcomes Based on the AT

We assessed pre- and posttreatment antiplatelet regimens dichotomizing the AT into 2 groups: pretreatment (3–7 days) low dose (ASA, 81–160 mg, + CP, 75 mg) and high dose (ASA, 250–325 mg, + CP, 75 mg) AT. Accordingly, we investigated the rate of intraprocedural/periprocedural complications showing 5% and 6% of treatment-related complications for low-dose and high-dose AT, respectively (P = .8).

Similarly, there were not statistically significant differences in complication and occlusion rates among groups with low-dose (ASA, 81–100 mg, + CP, 75 mg) and high-dose (ASA, 160–300 mg, + CP, 75 mg) AT regimens administrated during follow-up.

Our results are in accordance with a recent meta-analysis discussing the AT regimen used before and after using the PED. In this study, there was a lack of relationship between patients who received low- versus high-dose pre-PED ASA in terms of thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications.²⁴

Strengths and Limitations

Our study has several limitations. Series were often retrospective studies and small single-institution experiences. Because of the small number of cases, the comparison among subgroups may not provide power to show a statistically significant difference among the studied outcomes. Outcome comparison between ipsilateral A1–A2 and transcommunicating (from the A1 to the contralateral A2) stent configurations was not possible because of the scanty data. For the same reason, the asymmetry of the A1 segment was not evaluated. However, publication bias was reasonably excluded, and our review is the first and the largest study focusing on the flow-diversion treatment of AcomA aneurysms.

Conclusions

On the basis of our meta-analysis, flow diversion for unruptured saccular AcomA aneurysms appears to be an effective alternative treatment for lesions difficult to treat with coiling or microsurgical clipping. The treatment-related complication rate was relatively low, considering that flow-diverter stents are, in general, used for complex aneurysms of the AcomA region. However, larger studies are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of this procedure.

Footnotes

Disclosures: Federico Cagnazzo—UNRELATED: Employment: University of Florence. Paolo Perrini—UNRELATED: Employment: University of Pisa.

References

1.
2. Hernesniemi J,
3. Dashti R,
4. Lehecka M, et al
. Microneurosurgical management of anterior communicating artery aneurysms. Surg Neurol 2008;70:8–28; discussion 29 doi:10.1016/j.surneu.2008.01.056 pmid:18452980
2.
2. Colby GP,
3. Bender MT,
4. Lin LM, et al
. Endovascular flow diversion for treatment of anterior communicating artery region cerebral aneurysms: a single-center cohort of 50 cases. J Neurointerv Surg 2017;9:679–85 doi:10.1136/neurintsurg-2016-012946 pmid:28130501
3.
2. Bijlenga P,
3. Ebeling C,
4. Jaegersberg M, et al
; @neurIST Investigators. Risk of rupture of small anterior communicating artery aneurysms is similar to posterior circulation aneurysms. Stroke 2013;44:3018–26 doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.113.001667 pmid:23899912
4.
2. Cagnazzo F,
3. Mantilla D,
4. Lefevre PH, et al
. Treatment of middle cerebral artery aneurysms with flow-diverter stents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2017;38:2289–94 doi:10.3174/ajnr.A5388 pmid:28982785
5.
2. Cagnazzo F,
3. Cappucci M,
4. Dargazanli C, et al
. Treatment of distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms with flow-diverter stents: a single-center experience. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2018;39:1100–06 doi:10.3174/ajnr.A5615 pmid:29650782
6.
2. Moher D,
3. Liberati A,
4. Tetzlaff J, et al
. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. Int J Surg 2010;8:336–41 doi:10.1016/j.ijsu.2010.02.007 pmid:20171303
7.
2. O'Kelly CJ,
3. Krings T,
4. Fiorella D, et al
. A novel grading scale for the angiographic assessment of intracranial aneurysms treated using flow diverting stents. Interv Neuroradiol 2010;16:133–37 doi:10.1177/159101991001600204 pmid:20642887
8.
2. Wells GA,
3. Shea B,
4. O'Connell D, et al
. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for assessing the quality of nonradomized studies in meta-analyses. Ottawa: Ottawa Hospital Research Institute; 2011. http://www.evidencebasedpublichealth.de/download/Newcastle_Ottowa_Scale_Pope_Bruce.pdf. Accessed September 5, 2018.
9.
2. Fang S,
3. Brinjikji W,
4. Murad MH, et al
. Endovascular treatment of anterior communicating artery aneurysms: a systematic review and meta-analysis. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2014;35:943–47 doi:10.3174/ajnr.A3802 pmid:24287090
10.
2. Gherasim DN,
3. Gory B,
4. Sivan-Hoffmann R, et al
. Endovascular treatment of wide-neck anterior communicating artery aneurysms using WEB-DL and WEB-SL: short-term results in a multicenter study. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2015;36:1150–54 doi:10.3174/ajnr.A4282 pmid:25792534
11.
2. Labeyrie PE,
3. Gory B,
4. Aguilar-Perez M, et al
. The pCONus device for treatment of complex wide-neck anterior communicating artery aneurysms. World Neurosurg 2017;101:498–505 doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2017.02.045 pmid:28216394
12.
2. Ko JK,
3. Han IH,
4. Cho WH, et al
. Crossing Y-stent technique with dual open-cell stents for coiling of wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2015;132:54–60 doi:10.1016/j.clineuro.2015.02.002 pmid:25777137
13.
2. Limbucci N,
3. Renieri L,
4. Nappini S, et al
. Y-stent assisted coiling of bifurcation aneurysms with Enterprise stent: long-term follow-up. J Neurointerv Surg 2016;8:158–62 doi:10.1136/neurintsurg-2014-011483 pmid:25501447
14.
2. Lin LM,
3. Iyer RR,
4. Bender MT, et al
. Rescue treatment with Pipeline embolization for postsurgical clipping recurrences of anterior communicating artery region aneurysms. Interv Neurol 2017;6:135–46 doi:10.1159/000460264 pmid:29118790
15.
2. Daou B,
3. Starke RM,
4. Chalouhi N, et al
. The use of the Pipeline Embolization Device in the management of recurrent previously coiled cerebral aneurysms. Neurosurgery 2015;77:692–97; discussion 697 doi:10.1227/NEU.0000000000000901 pmid:26186670
16.
2. Szikora I,
3. Berentei Z,
4. Kulcsar Z, et al
. Treatment of intracranial aneurysms by functional reconstruction of the parent artery: the Budapest experience with the Pipeline Embolization Device. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2010;31:1139–47 doi:10.3174/ajnr.A2023 pmid:20150304
17.
2. Lin N,
3. Brouillard AM,
4. Krishna C, et al
. Use of coils in conjunction with the Pipeline embolization device for treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Neurosurgery 2015;76:142–49 doi:10.1227/NEU.0000000000000579 pmid:25255261
18.
2. Yan Y,
3. Zhu D,
4. Tang H, et al
. Safety and efficacy of flow diverter treatment for aneurysm in small cerebral vessels: a systematic review and meta-analysis. World Neurosurg 2018;115:54–64 doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2018.04.009 pmid:29653275
19.
2. Gawlitza M,
3. Januel AC,
4. Tall P, et al
. Flow diversion treatment of complex bifurcation aneurysms beyond the circle of Willis: a single-center series with special emphasis on covered cortical branches and perforating arteries. J Neurointerv Surg 2016;8:481–87 doi:10.1136/neurintsurg-2015-011682 pmid:25878068
20.
2. Pierot L,
3. Spelle L,
4. Berge J, et al
. Feasibility, complications, morbidity, and mortality results at 6 months for aneurysm treatment with the Flow Re-Direction Endoluminal Device: report of SAFE study. J Neurointerv Surg 2018;10:765–70 doi:10.1136/neurintsurg-2017-013559 pmid:29352057
21.
2. Cagnazzo F,
3. Lefevre PH,
4. Mantilla D, et al
. Patency of the supraclinoid internal carotid artery branches after flow-diversion treatment: a meta-analysis. J Neuroradiol 2018 Aug 9. [Epub ahead of print] doi:10.1016/j.neurad.2018.07.006 pmid:30099016
22.
2. Pistocchi S,
3. Blanc R,
4. Bartolini B, et al
. Flow diverters at and beyond the level of the circle of Willis for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Stroke 2012;43:1032–38 doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.636019 pmid:22282890
23.
2. Saleme S,
3. Iosif C,
4. Ponomarjova S, et al
. Flow-diverting stents for intracranial bifurcation aneurysm treatment. Neurosurgery 2014;75:623–31; quiz 631 doi:10.1227/NEU.0000000000000522 pmid:25121791
24.
2. Texakalidis P,
3. Bekelis K,
4. Atallah E, et al
. Flow diversion with the Pipeline Embolization Device for patients with intracranial aneurysms and antiplatelet therapy: a systematic literature review. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2017;161:78–87 doi:10.1016/j.clineuro.2017.08.003 pmid:28863286
25.
2. Toma AK,
3. Robertson F,
4. Wong K, et al
. Early single centre experience of flow diverting stents for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms. Br J Neurosurg 2013;27:622–28 doi:10.3109/02688697.2013.793292 pmid:23705577
26.
2. Clarencon F,
3. Di Maria F,
4. Gabrieli J, et al
. Flow diverter stents for the treatment of anterior cerebral artery aneurysms: safety and effectiveness. Clin Neuroradiol 2017;27:51–56 doi:10.1007/s00062-015-0441-8 pmid:26250557
27.
2. Dabus G,
3. Grossberg JA,
4. Cawley CM, et al
. Treatment of complex anterior cerebral artery aneurysms with Pipeline flow diversion: mid-term results. J Neurointerv Surg 2017;9:147–51 doi:10.1136/neurintsurg-2016-012519 pmid:27382125
28.
2. Möhlenbruch MA,
3. Kizilkilic O,
4. Killer-Oberpfalzer M, et al
. Multicenter experience with FRED Jr flow re-direction endoluminal device for intracranial aneurysms in small arteries. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2017;38:1959–65 doi:10.3174/ajnr.A5332 pmid:28798217
29.
2. Wakhloo AK,
3. Lylyk P,
4. de Vries J, et al
; Surpass Study Group. Surpass flow diverter in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms: a prospective multicenter study. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2015;36:98–107 doi:10.3174/ajnr.A4078 pmid:25125666
30.
2. Lin LM,
3. Bender MT,
4. Colby GP, et al
. Use of a next-generation multi-durometer long guide sheath for triaxial access in flow diversion: experience in 95 consecutive cases. J Neurointerv Surg 2018;10:137–42 doi:10.1136/neurintsurg-2017-013184 pmid:28710081
31.
2. Sultan-Qurraie A,
3. Sattar A,
4. Wazni W, et al
. Anterior communicating artery aneurysm treatment with the Pipeline Embolization Device: a single-center experience with long-term follow-up. Interv Neurol 2017;6:126–34 doi:10.1159/000456552 pmid:29118789
32.
2. Lin LM,
3. Jiang B,
4. Bender MT, et al
. 47 consecutive cases of Pipeline Flex flow diversion utilizing a novel large-bore intracranial intermediate catheter: nuances and institutional experience with the Syphontrak. Interv Neurol 2018;7:153–63 doi:10.1159/000486538 pmid:29719553

Received October 14, 2018.
Accepted after revision December 23, 2018.

Main menu

User menu

Search

American Journal of Neuroradiology

Flow-Diversion Treatment of Unruptured Saccular Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

ABBREVIATIONS:

Materials and Methods

Literature Search

Data Collection

Outcomes

Quality Scoring

Statistical Analysis

Results

Literature Review

Quality of Studies

Patient Population and Aneurysm Characteristics

Treatment Characteristics

Angiographic Outcomes

Treatment-Related Complications

Factors Related to Aneurysm Occlusion

Factors Related to Complications after Treatment

Relationship between Antiplatelet Therapy and Treatment-Related Outcomes

Study Heterogeneity

Discussion

Angiographic Outcomes

Treatment-Related Complications

Treatment-Related Outcomes Based on the AT

Strengths and Limitations

Conclusions

Footnotes

References

News and Updates

Resources

Opportunities

American Society of Neuroradiology