Morphologic and hemodynamic changes after stent placement for experimental carotid aneurysm

Stent assisted coil embolization is useful in treating broad neck aneurysms, and there are many kinds of stents that can be applied in the cerebral artery, however their characteristics are not well known. We investigated and compared morphologic and hemodynamic changes before and after stent placement when several different kinds of stents were applied to experimental aneurysms. Experimental aneurysms in eight pig carotid arteries were used. Stents were placed covering the aneurysm orifice. Five Cordis stents (coil stent), two GFXs (multilink stent), and one Multilink (tube stent) were used in this study. After coil placement, the arteries were perfused with 70% ethanol, the specimens were embedded in polyester plastic resin and thin slices were stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Blood flow in the aneurysm was measured using digital subtraction angiography. The parent artery was stretched in multilink stent (GFX) cases, and was most markedly stretched by use of the tube stent (Multilink). Stent placement with any type of stent decreased intra-aneurysmal blood flow.