Penumbra Occlusion Device for neurovascular vessel sacrifice: Feasibility and application

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the use of the Penumbra Occlusion Device (POD), which is a coil with an enhanced anchor segment, along with standard coils for carotid and vertebral artery sacrifice, and to assess its feasibility, safety, and efficacy.

Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of patients with vessel sacrifices who were treated using POD. For the procedure, a balloon test occlusion was performed prior to permanent arterial sacrifice. Following this, a POD was deployed followed by subsequent angiography to confirm occlusion. Secondary PODs or standard coils were deployed as necessary.

Results: A total of 5 internal carotid arteries and 5 vertebral arteries were treated in 10 patients. The mean vessel diameter of the vessel sacrificed was 4 mm (range 2.9-7.7 mm). The total mean number of coils required for vessel sacrifice was 7 (range 3-17). The mean number of PODs used for vessel sacrifice was 2.4 (range, 1-6). The mean number of additional standard coils used was 4.1 (range, 0-13). 9/10 (90%) parent arteries were successfully occluded. One patient had slow flow distal to the occluded segment. One (10%) of the patients had a delayed ischemic event. There were no immediate periprocedural complications including coil migrations or vessel dissections. 6/10 patients had follow-up imaging and no patients developed recanalization during the follow-up period.

Conclusion: Parent vessel sacrifice using a combination of PODs and standard coils appear to be a feasible, safe and effective alternative to the traditional vessel sacrifice techniques.