Endovascular treatment of experimental aneurysms by use of fibroblast-coated platinum coils: an angiographic and histopathologic study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether implanting exogenous fibroblasts on platinum coils could enhance intra-aneurysmal fibrosis. Hypotheses included: (1) fibroblast-coated (FBC) platinum coils can improve angiographic results after embolization; and (2) FBC platinum coils can accelerate histological healing of embolized aneurysms.


METHODS
Experimental aneurysms in rabbits were embolized with control platinum coils (n=18) or FBC coils (n=18). Subjects were euthanized at 14 days, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after implantation. Digital subtraction angiography was used to evaluate stability after embolization. Histological samples were examined with a grading system (range, 0 to 12) based on neck and dome healing.


RESULTS
Histology total scores and fibrosis ratio at 14 days were significantly greater in the FBC coil group compared with controls (6.6+/-1.9 versus 2.5+/-1.1, 1.2+/-0.6% versus 0.2+/-0.3%, respectively; P=0.0090). Cavities embolized with FBC coils showed cellular proliferation and thrombus organization, with an endothelialized membrane bridging the neck. There were no differences between groups in the later timepoints. The FBC coil group showed radiographic stability in 11 (61%) cases, coil compaction in 2 (11%) cases, and progressive occlusion in 5 (28%) cases. No progressive occlusion was seen in controls; 3 (17%) of 18 control cases exhibited coil compaction (P=0.0546).


CONCLUSIONS
FBC coils can accelerate early histological healing compared with control coils in the rabbit aneurysm model.
Dai
Daying
D
Neuroradiology Research Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Ding
Yong Hong
YH
Danielson
Mark A
MA
Kadirvel
Ramanathan
R
Hunter
Larry W
LW
Zhan
Wen-Zhi
WZ
Helm
Gregory A
GA
Lewis
Debra A
DA
Cloft
Harry J
HJ
Sieck
Gary C
GC
Kallmes
David F
DF
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D032390:Myoblasts, Smooth Muscle; D010984:Platinum / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends*; D011817:Rabbits; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014746:Vimentin / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
D000199:Actins; D015415:Biomarkers; D010984:Platinum; D014746:Vimentin; C498862:Acta2 protein, rat