Derivo embolization device for intracranial aneurysms: a Spanish multicenter retrospective study

Flow diverters have emerged in recent years as a safe and effective treatment for intracranial aneurysms, with expanding indications. The Derivo embolization device (DED) is a second-generation flow diverter with a surface finish that may reduce thrombogenicity. We report our multicenter experience evaluating its safety and efficacy.

We retrospectively analyzed all patients treated with the DED in eight centers in Spain between 2016 and 2020. Demographics, clinical data, procedural complications, morbidity and aneurysm occlusion rates were collected.

A total of 209 patients with 250 aneurysms were treated (77.5% women). The majority of aneurysms were located in the internal carotid artery (86.8%) and most (69.2%) were small (<10 mm) with a median maximum diameter of 5.85 mm and median neck size of 4 mm. DED deployment was successful in all cases, despite two malfunctioning devices (1%). Major complications occurred in nine patients (4.3%), while mild neurologic clinical events were registered in 23 (11%); four patients died (1.9%). A total of 194 aneurysms had an angiographic follow-up at 6 months and showed complete aneurysm occlusion in 75% of cases. Twelve-month follow-up was available for 112 of the treated aneurysms, with a total occlusion rate of 83%.

The DED is a second-generation surface-modified flow diverter that presents an option for treatment of intracranial aneurysms with comparable safety and efficacy to other available flow diverter devices. Nonetheless, risks are not negligible, and must be balanced against the natural history risk of cerebral aneurysms, considering the tendency to widen indications for treatment of smaller and less complex lesions in day-to-day use.