Stent-assisted coiling of intracranial aneurysms located on small vessels: midterm results with the LVIS Junior stent in 40 patients with 43 aneurysms

The Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS) Junior stent is dedicated for endovascular treatment of wide-neck intracranial aneurysms located on small-diameter vessels (2–3.5 mm). This study reports midterm clinical and anatomical results of this device.

This study was approved by authors’ ethical committees. A retrospective review of our prospectively maintained database identified all patients treated by this stent in three institutions. Technical issues and immediate and mid-term anatomical and clinical outcomes were evaluated.

Forty patients (30 women/10 men, mean age of 55 years) with 43 aneurysms were identified. Mean aneurysm diameter was 5.6 mm (range, 2–13 mm). In all patients, treatment was successful and the stent could be precisely placed. There were three procedure-related complications, one stent thrombosis and two aneurysm ruptures, leading to immediate morbidity in one patient. Delayed ischemic events occurred in three patients including two transient attacks and one permanent deficit. The overall permanent morbidity rate was thus 5 %. No mortality occurred. Immediate aneurysm occlusion consisted of 36 complete occlusions (83.7 %), five neck remnants (11.6 %), and two incomplete occlusions (4.7 %). Twenty-seven patients (29 aneurysms) and 11 patients (11 aneurysms) had a 12- and 6-month angiographic follow-up, respectively. Final anatomical results included 36 complete occlusions (90 %) and four neck remnants (10 %). Two minor recanalizations were seen but did not require retreatment. Non-significant intrastent stenosis occurred in 7/40 followed-up cases (17.5 %).

The LVIS Junior stent appears safe and effective for endovascular treatment of wide-neck intracranial aneurysms located on small vessels. Midterm results show high rates of adequate and stable occlusion.