Endovascular management of cerebral vasospasm following aneurysm rupture: outcomes and predictors in 116 patients

Abstract

Objective: To retrospectively assess the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment of cerebral vasospasm with different modalities and assess predictors of outcome.

Methods: Endovascular treatment was indicated in the event of neurological deterioration refractory to medical therapy. Data were collected for 116 patients treated at our institution.

Results: Vasospasm was treated with balloon angioplasty in 52.6%, intra-arterial nicardipine infusion in 19.8%, or both in 27.6%. Angiographic vasospasm was reversed in all but 4 (96.6%) patients. The complication rate was 0.9%. Twenty patients (17.2%) had incipient pre-procedure hypodensities; 3 (15%) hypodensities were reversed and neurological improvement occurred in 60% of these patients. Retreatment was required in 22 (19%) patients. Higher Hunt and Hess grades and treatment with nicardipine alone predicted retreatment. Neurological improvement was noted in 82%. Male gender, pre-procedure hypodensities, and posterior communicating artery aneurysm location negatively predicted neurological recovery. Favorable outcomes were noted in 73%. Higher Hunt and Hess grades, pre-procedure hypodensities, posterior circulation aneurysms, and no neurological recovery predicted poor outcome.

Conclusion: Endovascular therapy for vasospasm has an excellent safety-efficacy profile. Balloon angioplasty and nicardipine are equally effective but effects of nicardipine are less durable. Patients with incipient pre-procedure hypodensities benefit from endovascular intervention and should probably not be excluded from treatment.

Keywords: Aneurysm; Balloon angioplasty; Nicardipine; Vasospasm.