Partial aortic obstruction improves cerebral perfusion and clinical symptoms in patients with symptomatic vasospasm

Objective: Stroke studies in animals showed that aortic obstruction increases cerebral blood flow (CBF) and reduces infarct size. In this study we evaluate the safety and efficacy of a device providing partial and transitory aortic obstruction. Methods: We report the results in 24 selected patients with symptomatic vasospasm by aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage treated by partial and transitory aortic obstruction with a novel device (NeuroFlo (TM), CoAxia, MN). Aneurysms were secured by coils prior to the procedure. We studied the adverse effects related to the aorta-obstructing device, and changes in CBF and neurological outcome. Results: Mean flow velocity increased in both middle cerebral arteries over 75%, and the score in the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale decreased >= 2 point in 20 patients (83%). During the procedure, three patients developed symptoms that were controlled. At 30 days follow-up three patients had 6 points (unrelated death), three had 3 points, six had 1 point, and 12 had 0 points, in the modified Rankin scale. Discussion: Partial aortic obstruction was safe, the cerebral blood flow increased without inducing significant hypertension and the neurological defects improved in most of the patients. Efficacy with a better level of evidence will be determined by a randomized study.