Complications of Neuroform stent in endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms.
BACKGROUND
The Neuroform stent can help in the treatment of difficult, wide-necked intracranial aneurysms. The objective of our study is to report some of the challenges associated with the Neuroform stent in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms.


METHODS
From January 2003 to August 2006, consecutive patients treated with Neuroform stent for intracranial aneurysms were prospectively enrolled. Information on patient demographics, cerebrovascular risk factors, aneurysm size and location were collected. Technical and clinical complications as well as clinical outcomes were measured. Data were analyzed retrospectively using SPSS software version 11.5.


RESULTS
Successful deployment of the stent, in the target artery, was achieved in 65/67 (97%) patients. Stent deployment failed in two cases and the migration of stent developed in one during coiling. Postoperative thromboembolic events developed in three patients. These three patients possessed hyperactive platelets, and were treated with intravenous eptifibatide. Intraoperative rupture of aneurysm developed in one patient, which was secured by subsequent coiling. Majority of the patients had good outcomes GOS (Glasgow Outcome Score) 1 or NIHSS (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale) 0 in 63/67 (94%), GOS 2 or NIHSS 2 in one patient and GOS 3 or NIHSS 4 was observed in three cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite a low rate of intraoperative complications, post-procedural thromboembolic events were common in Neuroform stent-treated patients, which might be associated with hyperactive platelets. Further studies are warranted to identify any potential relationship between post-stent hyperactive platelets and thromboembolism.
Yahia
Abutaher M
AM
Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Radiology, Upstate Medical University, 750 E Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA. yahia25@hotmail.com
Gordon
Vickie
V
Whapham
John
J
Malek
Ali
A
Steel
J
J
Fessler
Richard D
RD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017542:Aneurysm, Ruptured / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000453:epidemiology