Endovascular Treatment of Large or Giant Basilar Artery Aneurysms Using the Pipeline Embolization Device: Complications and Outcomes

Background: This study aimed to investigate clinical and angiographic outcomes of Pipeline embolization device (PED) treatment of large or giant basilar artery (BA) aneurysms and examine associated factors.

Methods: Clinical and angiographic data of 29 patients (18 men, 11 women) with large or giant BA aneurysms were retrospectively examined. Mean age was 44.1 ± 21.2 years (range, 30-68). Mean aneurysm size was 22.2 ± 8.3 mm (range, 12.0-40.1).

Results: Mean angiographic follow-up was 18.3 ± 3.4 months (range, 4.5-60). The rate of adequate aneurysmal occlusion (O'Kelly-Marotta grade C-D) was 87%. The overall complication rate was 44.8%; most complications (84.6%) occurred in the periprocedural period. Univariable comparison of patients who did and did not develop complications showed significant differences in aneurysm size ( < 0.01), intra-aneurysmal thrombus ( = 0.03), and mean number of PEDs used ( = 0.02). Aneurysm size (odds ratio, 1.4; = 0.04) was an independent risk factor for periprocedural complications in multivariable analysis. Mean clinical follow-up was 23.5 ± 3.2 months (range, 0.1-65). Nine patients (31%) had a poor clinical outcome (modified Rankin scale score ≥3) at last follow-up, including 7 patients who died. Univariable comparisons between patients with favorable and unfavorable clinical outcomes showed that aneurysm size ( = 0.009) and intra-aneurysmal thrombus ( = 0.04) significantly differed between the groups. Multivariable analysis showed that aneurysm size (odds ratio, 1.1; = 0.04) was an independent risk factor for poor clinical outcome.

Conclusion: PED treatment of large or giant BA aneurysms is effective and can achieve a satisfactory long-term occlusion rate. However, the treatment complications are not negligible. Aneurysm size is the strongest predictor of perioperative complications and poor clinical outcome.