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Introduction Flow diversion (FD) has emerged as an effective treatment option for intracranial aneurysms (IAs). However, there is limited evidence regarding its safety and efficacy specifically for distal aneurysms of the posterior circulation including posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA), anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA), superior cerebellar artery (SCA), and the P2 and P3 segment of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA). This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of FD for these aneurysms. Methods A retrospective analysis of a multicentric observational registry was performed between 2014 and 2022. Patients harboring distal aneurysms of the posterior circulation including the PICA, AICA, SCA, and PCA P2‐3 treated with FD were included. Aneurysms characteristics and outcomes were calculated for the total series and a comparison was performed between fusiform/dissecting versus saccular aneurysms. The primary outcome was complete occlusion at last imaging follow up which was defined as per the Raymond Roy occlusion scale. Additional outcomes included the retreatment rate, and thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications Results Overall, 36 patients with 36 aneurysms were treated with FD with a median age in years of 60.0 (interquartile range [IQR]: 52.8‐65.3 years). Of those, 13 were fusiform/dissecting while 23 were saccular IAs. Complete occlusion was achieved in 78.1% for all IAs at a median follow‐up of 14.0 months (IQR: 9.3‐48.6 months). There was no significant difference in rates of complete occlusion between fusiform/dissecting (91.7%) and saccular aneurysms (70%, p=0.151). Thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications were observed in four cases (11.1%), and retreatment was required for four IAs (11.4%). There was no significant difference in rates of thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications, or retreatment between fusiform/dissecting and saccular IAs Conclusion This study suggests the safety and efficacy of FD for distal aneurysms of the posterior circulation. Further larger‐scale studies are warranted to confirm these findings and to explore the long‐term safety and efficacy of FD in this specific aneurysm population.

Introduction Indications for flow diversion for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms have increased remarkably in recent years.1 This has been particularly useful for aneurysms that are difficult to treat via endosaccular or open approaches, such as pseudoaneurysms.2 Flow diversion, however, typically requires dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), which can contribute to greater morbidity particularly in patients with ruptured aneurysms or other comorbidities.3 The third‐generation iteration of the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) incorporates Shield technology, a phosphorylcholine coating designed to reduce thrombogenicity via mimicry of native cell membranes.4 In light of this reduced thrombogenicity, there have been reports of early transition to single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT), or other variations on DAPT, in patients treated with PED Shield. We therefore aim to characterize the antiplatelet regimens, and associated thromboembolic/hemorrhagic outcomes, utilized in patients with aneurysms treated with PED Shield. Methods Factors including demographics, comorbidities, rupture status, devices placed, and antiplatelet regimen, among others, were collected. Follow‐up data including aneurysm thromboembolic complication, hemorrhagic complication, new neurological deficit, aneurysm occlusion, and in‐stent thrombosis were also recorded. Results One‐hundred and eighty patients were included in analysis, 18 of which were acutely ruptured. One hundred and sixty‐two patients had a single device placed, while the remaining had two devices placed. Three patients were maintained on SAPT post‐procedurally (aspirin or clopidogrel), with two additional patients treated with SAPT plus an anticoagulant for other purposes. One hundred and seventy‐two patients were maintained on DAPT, most commonly aspirin/clopidogrel (115), followed by aspirin/ticagrelor (40), and aspirin/prasugrel (16). Seven patients had strokes of any kind, three of which were unrelated to the treatment territory, and two of the remaining 4 were non‐compliant with antiplatelet therapy. One patient had a new intraparenchymal hemorrhage, but no appreciable deficit. Of the 135 patients with 6‐month follow‐up, 77 had complete aneurysm occlusion, and 116 demonstrated no in‐stent thrombosis. Conclusion We demonstrate herein the similar safety profile and efficacy of PED Shield with varying antiplatelet regimens, including SAPT in isolated cases.

Introduction Previous studies did not show a difference in terms of safety and efficacy among first‐line stent retriever (SR), contact aspiration (CA), or combined techniques for proximal large vessel occlusion strokes. However, the optimal reperfusion therapy in patients with primary distal medium vessel occlusion (DMVO) strokes is uncertain. We aimed to compare the clinical and procedural outcomes among first‐line SR, CA and combined techniques in patients with primary DMVO. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database from 14 comprehensive stroke centers in the US and Europe. Patients were included if they had a primary DMVO stroke due to MCA‐M3/M4, ACA‐A1/A2‐3, or PCA‐P1/P2‐3 and underwent mechanical thrombectomy with first‐line SR, CA, or combined technique. The primary outcome was FPE defined as eTICI 2c/3 on the first pass. Secondary outcomes included mFPE defined as eTICI 2b/3 on the first pass, successful reperfusion defined as eTICI 2b/3 at the end of the procedure. Clinical outcomes included 90‐day mRS0‐1 and 90‐day mRS0‐2. Safety measures included procedural complications, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), and 90‐day mortality. The secondary analysis aimed to identify the procedural and clinical outcomes in 3 matched cohorts: (SR vs. CA), (SR vs. combined technique), and (CA vs. combined technique). Results A total of 365 patients were eligible for analysis; 38.1% were female, with a mean age of 69.3 years and a median NIHSS score of 11 [7‐18]. The first‐line SR group consisted of n=74 (20.3%), CA group n=142 (38.9%), and combined technique group n=149 (40.8%). Patients with first‐line SR or combined technique had a lower median NIHSS score, less frequent MCA‐M3 segment occlusion, and less usage of the rescue strategy compared to those with first‐line CA, P

Introduction Flow diverters (FD) have become a revolutionary approach in the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms (IAs), supplanting traditional methods (1). Despite their demonstrated efficacy and safety, unforeseeable device‐related technical complications, such as fish‐mouthing, device braid narrowing, deformation, ovalization, and collapsing have been reported during implantation and follow‐up (2,3,4). However, the definitions and reporting of these complications remain inconsistent. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to assess overall device‐related technical complication rates associated with flow diversion and provide an overview of the current reported definitions. Methods We searched six databases up to April 4th, 2023, and included studies that reported device‐related technical complications related to FD treatment for IAs. We considered five main outcome measures as device‐related technical complications: (1) fish‐mouthing, (2) device braid collapsing, (3) device braid narrowing, (4) device braid deformation, and (5) device braid ovalization. The data from these studies were pooled using a random‐effects model. Results We included 48 studies involving 3,572 patients and 3,939 aneurysms. Among them, 14 studies (39%) provided definitions for fish‐mouthing. However, none of the included studies offered specific definitions for device braid collapsing, narrowing, or deformation, despite reporting rates for these complications in five, six, and three studies, respectively. The pooled rates for device‐related technical complications were as follows: 3% (95% CI 2 – 4%; I2 = 27%) for fish‐mouthing, 1% (95% CI 0 – 3%; I2 = 0%) for collapsing, 7% (95% CI 2 – 20%; I2 = 85%) for narrowing, and 1% (95% CI 1 – 4%; I2 = 0%) for deformation. Device braid ovalization data were not available. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that FD treatment for IAs generally exhibits low rates of fish‐mouthing, device braid narrowing, collapsing, and deformation. However, the lack of standardized definitions hinders the ability to objectively compare device outcomes, emphasizing the need for uniform device‐related complication definitions in future prospective studies on FD.

Background Endovascular management of wide‐necked bifurcation aneurysms poses a therapeutic challenge, as coiling often requires the use of multiple adjunctive stent constructs to achieve successful embolization without compromising parent vessel integrity. The Neuroform Atlas Stent System is a novel low‐profile, intraluminal remodeling device. The study aims to investigate the safety and efficacy of Y‐stent–assisted coiling configuration constructs using the next generation stent for aneurysm coil embolization. Methods Subjects undergoing Y‐stent–assisted coiling in the ATLAS IDE (Safety and Effectiveness of the Treatment of Wide Neck, Saccular Intracranial Aneurysms with the Neuroform Atlas Stent System Investigational Device Exception) trial were identified for subgroup analysis. Enrollment in the trial was not stratified on the basis of the procedural stenting technique used. The primary efficacy end point was complete aneurysm occlusion (Raymond–Roy class 1) on 12‐month angiography, in the absence of re‐treatment or parent artery stenosis (>50%) at the target location. The primary safety end point was any major stroke or ipsilateral stroke or neurological death within 12 months. Adjudication of the primary end points was performed by an independent imaging core laboratory and the clinical events committee. Results A total of 60 subjects were identified. The mean age was 59, and 28.3% were men. The median aneurysm size was 6.7 mm, with a median neck size of 4.3 mm. Frequently reported aneurysm locations included the basilar apex (56.7%), anterior communicating artery (20.0%), and middle cerebral artery bifurcation (11.7%). The composite primary efficacy end point was achieved in 81.1% of subjects. Overall, 1.7% of subjects experienced a primary safety endpoint of major ipsilateral stroke or neurological death. Conclusion In the ATLAS IDE aneurysm cohort premarket approval study, Y‐stent–assisted coiling with Neuroform demonstrated high rates of complete aneurysm occlusion at 12 months, with low rates of morbidity.

Background Socioeconomic status is regarded as a significant predictor of poor outcomes after ischemic stroke. However, there is sparse evidence of its effect in patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy. This study aimed to explore the effect of socioeconomic status on long‐term functional outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy. Methods A retrospective, self‐adjudicated, single‐center study comparing favorable and unfavorable functional outcomes through risk factors, demographic factors, and neighborhood socioeconomic status was performed. Functional outcome was defined by modified Rankin scale scores evaluated at 90 days after thrombectomy. Results Factors that were independently associated with favorable functional outcome included age (odds ratio [OR], 0.97; 95% CI, 0.96–0.98 [P