Management of intraprocedural arterial thrombus in cerebral aneurysm embolization with abciximab: technical case report.
OBJECTIVE
Thromboembolic complications after cerebral aneurysm treatment with Guglielmi detachable coils (Boston Scientific/Target, Fremont, CA) are not infrequent; in a University of California, Los Angeles institutional review of 720 treated aneurysms, thromboembolic complications occurred in 2.5% of cases. The development of intraluminal thrombus during the embolization procedure, however, may be diagnosed promptly and treated effectively with appropriate therapy. This report describes the use of intravenously administered abciximab for the treatment of intraprocedural arterial thrombus encountered during the coil embolization of a recently ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm.


METHODS
A 45-year-old man presented with severe headache 12 days before transfer to our institution. He had no neurological deficits at admission. Previous computed tomography of the brain demonstrated subarachnoid hemorrhage, and magnetic resonance angiography from the other institution demonstrated a 4-mm anterior communicating artery aneurysm.


METHODS
The patient underwent Guglielmi detachable coil embolization of the aneurysm under systemic heparinization. During the embolization, however, a thrombus developed in the proximal left A2 segment. The patient was given an intravenous infusion (20 mg) of abciximab for 10 minutes, and within 15 minutes dissolution of the thrombus was observed with no angiographic evidence of distal emboli. After reversal of general anesthesia, the patient exhibited minimal right leg weakness, which resolved within 1 hour.


CONCLUSIONS
Abciximab may be a useful adjunct for endovascular treatment of patients with cerebral aneurysms in whom intraprocedural arterial thrombus is encountered.
Alexander
Michael J
MJ
Division of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. michael.alexander@duke.edu
Duckwiler
Gary R
GR
Gobin
Y Pierre
YP
Viñuela
Fernando
F
D000077284:Abciximab; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000925:Anticoagulants; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D000077284:Abciximab