ENDOVASCULAR TREATMENT OF INTRACRANIAL ANEURYSMS USING MATRIX COILS: SHORT- AND MID-TERM RESULTS IN RUPTURED AND UNRUPTURED ANEURYSMS

OBJECTIVE: A prospective multicenter registry was conducted in France to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Matrix coils (Boston Scientific Neurovascular, Fremont, CA). The short- and mid-term results are presented. METHODS: From January to October 2004, 236 patients harboring ruptured (Group 1) or unruptured (Group II) aneurysms were treated via an endovascular approach with Matrix coils and were included in this registry. In-hospital morbidity and mortality was determined. One-year clinical follow-up data were obtained in 218 patients (92.4%). One-year angiographic follow-up data were obtained in 165 patients (171 aneurysms, 70.1%). RESULTS: In Group 1, in-hospital morbidity and mortality rates were 5.8 and 6.5%, respectively, with a procedure-related morbidity and mortality of 3.6 and 1.4%, respectively. At I year, the morbidity and mortality rates were 2.4 and 11.0%, respectively. In Group II, procedure-related morbidity and mortality rates were 1.0 and 0.0%, respectively. At 1 year, the morbidity and mortality rates were 1.1 and 0%, respectively. For both groups, no bleeding or rebleeding was observed during the follow-up period. The only factor associated with an increased rate of complications was delay before treatment of more than 2 days after bleeding. Aneurysm recanalization was observed in 44 aneurysms (25.7%). CONCLUSION: In-hospital and 1-year morbidity and mortality rates in patients harboring ruptured or unruptured aneurysms treated with Matrix coils were similar to those previously reported with the use of bare coils. The efficacy of Matrix coils to prevent aneurysm recanalization was not demonstrated, despite a high percentage of progressive thrombosis that suggests biological activity resulting from Matrix coils.