Background and purpose: Flow diversion of intracranial aneurysms with the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) is frequently performed, but the outcomes of retreatment for aneurysms that failed to occlude after prior treatment with PED have not been well studied. Here, we report the safety and efficacy of PED retreatment after initial failure to occlude.
Materials and methods: Clinical and angiographic data from eligible patients were retrospectively assessed for demographics, aneurysm occlusion status, and clinical outcomes. Patients were included in this study if they underwent PED retreatment to treat an aneurysm that had previously been treated with PED.
Results: Retreatment of previously flow-diverted aneurysms with PED was performed in 42 cases. At final angiographic follow-up, angiographic improvement was observed after 45% (19/42) of retreatments and complete aneurysm occlusion was observed following 26% (11/42). Significant clinical complications occurred in 10% (4/42) of PED retreatments.
Conclusions: Retreatment of intracranial aneurysms with PED following initial failure to achieve aneurysm occlusion has a low rate of subsequent complete aneurysm occlusion.
Keywords: Aneurysm; flow diversion; pipeline.