Influence of preoperative embolisation on resection of brain arteriovenous malformations: cohort study.

Purpose: Preoperative endovascular embolisation is a widely used adjunct for the surgical treatment of brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). However, whether this improves completeness of AVM resection is unknown, as previous analyses have not adjusted for potential confounding factors. We aimed to determine if preoperative endovascular embolisation was associated with increased rate of complete AVM resection at first surgery, following adjustment for Spetzler-Martin grade items.

Prasugrel Single Antiplatelet Therapy versus Aspirin and Clopidogrel Dual Antiplatelet Therapy for Flow Diverter Treatment for Cerebral Aneurysms: A Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Background And Purpose: The optimal antiplatelet regimen after flow diverter treatment of cerebral aneurysms is still a matter of debate. A single antiplatelet therapy might be advantageous in determined clinical scenarios. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of prasugrel single antiplatelet therapy versus aspirin and clopidogrel dual antiplatelet therapy.

High variability in physician estimations of flow-diverting stent deployment versus PreSize Neurovascular software simulation: a comparison study.

Background: Physician variablity in preoperative planning of endovascular implant deployment and associated inaccuracies have not been documented. This study aimed to quantify the variability in accuracy of physician flow diverter (FD) planning and directly compares it with PreSize Neurovascular (Oxford Heartbeat Ltd) software simulations.

Methods: Eight experienced neurointerventionalists (NIs), blinded to procedural details, were provided with preoperative 3D rotational angiography (3D-RA) volumetric data along with images annotated with the distal landing location of a deployed Surpass Evolve (Stryker Neurovascular) FD from 51 patient cases.

Early experience treating intracranial aneurysms using Accero: a novel, fully visible, low profile braided stent with platinum-nitinol composite wire technology.

Background: Accero is an innovative, fully visible, self-expanding braided stent with platinum-nitinol composite wire technology, produced by Acandis.

Objective: To assess the technical success and safety of this new stent by evaluating the intraprocedural behavior and complication rate, and the short-term follow-up results.

Methods: Forty-one consecutive patients suitable for stent-assisted coiling were selected for the use of Accero in an 11-month period.

Early outcome of children with complex atrial isomerism undergoing uni-ventricular cardiac palliation.

Objective: To review the postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) course and early outcome of children with complex atrial isomeric hearts undergoing cardiac surgery for uni-ventricular heart repair.

Methods: A retrospective review and analysis of ICU course of pediatric patients with atrial isomerism admitted from January 2000 to December 2004 in King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who underwent uni-ventricular repair.

Results: During the study period, 18 (n=18) patients were identified to have complex congenital heart disease (CHD) associated with atrial isomerism.