Safety and Efficacy of Low-Profile, Self-Expandable Stents for Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms: Initial and Midterm Results - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Low-profile stents seem to be associated with a higher incidence of thromboembolic events compared with preexisting stents. We conducted a systematic review of 11 eligible reports and a meta-analysis of 7 reports with respect to the clinical efficacy and safety of low-profile stents. There were 217 intracranial aneurysms reported; 22% were ruptured aneurysms. In all, 72% were treated using single stenting, 19% were treated using overlapping stenting, and 6% were treated using balloon angioplasty followed by stenting; 3% were used to assess the flow diverter effect in a dissecting aneurysm or were treated using unexpected subtotal coil packing. On immediate postprocedural angiographic results, Raymond class I and II obliteration was obtained in 87% of the aneurysms. On angiographic results at 3-6 months, Raymond class I and II obliteration or stability was obtained in 79% of the aneurysms, and Raymond class III obliteration was obtained in 3% of the aneurysms. The recurrence rate on follow-up of intracranial aneurysms was 6.5% (5.7% with LEO Baby and 1.3% with LVIS Jr). The periprocedural complication rate was 12.4%. Periprocedural thromboembolism occurred in 6.5% of the cases. The rate of in-stent stenosis on follow-up of intracranial aneurysms was 10%. In the midterm result, the recurrence rate with use of low-profile, self-expandable stents was relatively low compared to that with use of other self-expandable stents. In the meta-analysis comparing LEO Baby with LVIS Jr, the obliteration rate at 6 months was not significantly different, but the periprocedural complication rate was relatively low with LVIS Jr.