Data Validates Use of Brain Angio During Surgery
Data presented at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) indicates that patients undergoing treatment for brain aneurysm should have intraoperative angiography (IA) completed. News of the research was posted by Health Imaging.
A research team from the National Brain Aneurysm Center, which used to be the HealthEast Neurovascular Institute in St. Paul, examined a group of more than 1,000 patients who had intracranial aneurysm. All of the patients were undergoing microsurgery to treat disease.
The research effort was completed to assess the role of IA in this cohort. Limited data has been published to describe its efficacy, though the imaging technique has been around for some time. As such, the technique is not always employed, particularly in smaller facilities with limited resources. The lead researcher notes that small facilities may not be appropriately equipped to treat these types of aneurysms.
Important benefits were noted from the data procured with IA. Additional clip placement or repositioning occurred in just under 9.5 percent of the cases. Another benefit is assessment of the aneurysm after the procedure. In 42 cases, IA revealed that an aneurysm had been completed destroyed when the clinician was planning to place more clips. Moreover, IA revealed 30 cases with vascular stenosis or unexpected residual aneurysm that could be treated.
Of the patients studied, no major complications were noted secondary to IA. Five cases were discontinued because of issues with access. There were five femoral artery pseudoaneurysms (one required repair). Two patients experienced carotid artery pseudoaneurysms. None of these limited the flow of blood and all were asymptomatic.
Another outcome of interest was whether or not completion of IA was associated with increased procedure time. This data indicated that IA added an additional 10.5 minutes to the entire time to complete the procedure. This is contrasted with data from 1997, which noted an increase of 28.5 minuted to operative time.
May 1, 2008 Related topics: Imaging, Diagnostic, Radiology, Psychiatry & Neurology