Septoplasty: Scepter Balloon Angioplasty for Vasospasm after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Introduction: Balloon angioplasty can be a requisite approach for the treatment of symptomatic and/or severe vasospasm. Dual-lumen microcatheter balloons have multiple potential advantages for this indication including accommodating a 0.014-inch wire and the potential to deliver superselective vasodilators directly via the microcatheter prior to angioplasty.

Methods: The authors reviewed a 3-year institutional experience with the Scepter XC balloon (Microvention, Tustin, CA, USA) in the treatment of postaneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage vasospasm, focusing on treatment methods, angiographic, and clinical results.

Results: Sixty-four vessels were treated in 18 patients. Fifteen cases were performed under intravenous (i.v.) conscious sedation (83%). The mean pretreatment stenosis was 59% (range 40-80), and the mean post-treatment stenosis was 12% (range 0-40). Five vessels in 3 patients were subsequently retreated via angioplasty for recurrent vasospasm (8%). There were no complications related to the passage of the balloon microcatheter or inflation of the balloon such as dissection or vessel rupture. Of 14 patients with delayed cerebral ischemia, 7 had complete symptomatic resolution after treatment, and 3 had significant symptomatic improvement. Four patients did not improve after treatment though 3 already had confirmed infarcts on imaging prior to angiography.

Conclusion: The Scepter XC is a safe and effective balloon microcatheter for angioplasty of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage, allowing for superselective delivery of a vasodilator. Its ease of deliverability and visibility often allows for the performance of the procedure under i.v. conscious sedation.