Association of Thrombelastographic Parameters with Complications in Patients with Intracranial Aneurysm After Stent Placement.

Objective: A prospective trial was conducted to investigate the platelet function and association between thrombelastographic (TEG) parameters and embolic or hemorrhagic complications in patients with intracranial aneurysm undergoing stent treatment.

Methods: Between September 2013 and June 2016, we prospectively recruited patients with intracranial aneurysm who were treated with stent-assisted coiling. TEG parameters were used to assess the platelet function before stenting procedures. The primary study end point was the onset of ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, or silent ischemic events in the territory of the stented artery within 6 months after the procedure. The secondary end point was assessed by bleeding events.

Results: Four hundred and thirty-one patients with 453 intracranial aneurysms were enrolled. A total of 519 neurovascular stents were implanted. During the follow-up, a total of 70 primary end points (16.2%) and 59 secondary end points (13.7%) were detected. Thromboembolic complications such as symptomatic and slient ischemic complications were more frequently observed in patients with large aneurysms (>10 mm, P = 0.01), lower adenosine diphosphate (ADP) inhibition rate (P < 0.0001), and higher ADP-induced platelet-fibrin clot strength (maximum amplitude of adenosine diphosphate [MA-ADP]) (P < 0.0001). Besides, based on multivariate analysis, a higher ADP inhibition ratio was identified as a significant independent predictor of subsequent bleeding events (P < 0.0001). According to the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the safe range of the ADP inhibition ratio and MA-ADP of the TEG analysis were identified as 29.45%-55.4% and <46.15, respectively.

Conclusions: The ADP inhibition ratio and MA-ADP of TEG analysis were associated with subsequent cerebral ischemic events and intracranial or extracranial bleeding events in patients with intracranial aneurysm after stent treatment.