Predictors of success following endovascular retreatment of intracranial aneurysms

Introduction: Although approximately one in every 10 patients undergoing coil embolization of intracranial aneurysms requires retreatment, the factors that are associated with outcome following retreatment remain to be fully elucidated.

Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective review of 43 patients with 58 intracranial aneurysms that were retreated from 2004 to 2014. Aneurysms undergoing first time or microsurgical retreatment were excluded. Retreatment types were grouped into those without permanent parent vessel support (stand-alone and balloon-assisted coiling) versus those with permanent parent vessel support (stent-assisted coiling, stand-alone stenting, and flow diversion). The Modified Raymond Roy Classification was used to group aneurysms at all angiographic follow-up points either in the successful outcome group (Class I or II) or the unsuccessful outcome group (Class IIIa or IIIb).

Results: Of aneurysms with follow-up, 50% were in the successful group and 50% in the unsuccessful group. In univariate analysis, small aneurysm size (p < 0.001), previous treatment type (p = 0.022), retreatment type (p = 0.001), and initial occlusion class (p = 0.005) were all associated with angiographic outcome. In multivariate analysis, small aneurysm size (p = 0.005, odds ratio (OR) 24.56, confidence interval (CI) 2.68-225.4) and retreatment type with permanent parent vessel support, namely stent-assisted coiling (p = 0.017, OR 31.1, CI 1.89-517.7), were associated with retreatment success.

Conclusions: Small aneurysm size and retreatment with permanent parent vessel support, namely stent-assisted coiling, are predictors of success following endovascular retreatment of intracranial aneurysms. These findings could be useful in the effort to both prevent and predict treatment failure following endovascular retreatment.