Reconstructive endovascular treatment for basilar artery trunk aneurysms: complications and clinical and angiography outcomes

Abstract

Background Basilar artery trunk aneurysms (BTAs) are rare intracranial aneurysms. We aim to investigate the procedural complications and clinical and angiographic outcomes of BTAs treated with reconstructive endovascular treatment (EVT). Methods We retrospectively reviewed the data of 111 patients with BTAs who underwent reconstructive EVT during 2013–2022. The factors associated with procedural complications and clinical and angiographic outcomes were analyzed. Results The study included 81 men and 30 women (median age 60 years). Overall, 26 (23.4%) cases presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage and 85 (76.6%) presented with unruptured aneurysms. Periprocedural ischemic and hemorrhagic complications occurred in 29 (26.1%) and 4 (3.6%) cases, respectively. The rate of favorable clinical outcomes was 83.8% (92/111) and the mortality rate was 14.4% (16/111). Angiographic follow-up data were available for 77/95 (81.1%) survivors; 57 (74.0%) and 20 (26%) aneurysms exhibited complete and incomplete obliteration, respectively. Old age, high Hunt and Hess grades (IV–V), hemorrhagic complications, and increased aneurysm size were independent risk factors for unfavorable clinical outcomes (p < 0.05). Increased aneurysm size and incomplete aneurysm occlusion on immediate angiography were independent risk factors for incomplete occlusion during follow-up (p < 0.05). Conclusion Reconstructive EVTs are a feasible and effective treatment for BTAs but are associated with a high risk of ischemic and hemorrhagic complications and a high mortality rate. Larger aneurysms may predict unfavorable clinical outcomes and aneurysm recurrence during follow-up. Hemorrhagic complications may predict unfavorable clinical outcomes, whereas immediate complete aneurysm occlusion may predict total occlusion during follow-up.

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