Endovascular treatment of ruptured posterior circulation aneurysms using electrolytically detachable coils

Douglas A. Nichols, Robert D. Brown, Kent R. Thielen, Fredric B. Meyer, John L.D. Atkinson, David G. Piepgras

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

100 Scopus citations

Abstract

The authors report their experience using electrolytically detachable coils for the treatment of ruptured posterior circulation aneurysms. Twenty- six patients with 28 posterior circulation aneurysms were treated. All patients were referred for endovascular treatment by experienced vascular neurosurgeons. Patients underwent follow-up angiography immediately after treatment, 1 to 6 weeks posttreatment, and 6 months posttreatment. Six-month follow-up angiograms obtained in 19 patients with 20 aneurysms demonstrated that lB (90%) of the 20 aneurysms were 99 to 109% occluded, one aneurysm (5%) was approximately 90% occluded, and one aneurysm (5%) was approximately 75% occluded. The patient with the aneurysm that was approximately 75% occluded needed additional treatment, consisting of parent artery balloon occlusion, and was considered a treatment failure (3.8% of patients). There was one treatment-associated mortality (3.8%) but no treatment-associated serious neurological or nonneurological morbidity in the patient group. There was no recurrent aneurysm rapture during treatment or during the mean 27-month follow-up period. Endovascular treatment of ruptured posterior circulation aneurysms with electrolytically detachable coils can be accomplished with low morbidity and mortality rates. The primary goal of treatment-preventing recurrent aneurysm-can be achieved over the short term. Endovascular coil occlusion will play an important role in the treatment of ruptured posterior circulation aneurysms, particularly if long-term efficacy in preventing recurrent aneurysm hemorrhage can be documented.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)374-380
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of neurosurgery
Volume87
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1997

Keywords

  • Detachable coil
  • Endovascular therapy
  • Intracranial aneurysm

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Clinical Neurology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Endovascular treatment of ruptured posterior circulation aneurysms using electrolytically detachable coils'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this