BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the incidence of complications of intracranial complex aneurysms embolization by stent-assisted coils, and to investigate the causes of complications and corresponding treatment methods.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 71 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) underwent stent-assisted coil embolization from 2015 to 2018 were enrolled in this study. Among them, 59 cases were single aneurysm, 12 cases were multiple aneurysms (11 cases with 2 aneurysms and 1 case with 3 aneurysms), for a total of 84 aneurysms. All enrolled patients received stent angioplasty except for 1 case.

RESULTS: There were 62 aneurysms (73.81%) treated with complete tamponade, 21 aneurysms (25.00%) treated with near-total tamponade and 1 aneurysm (1.19%) treated with partial tamponade. All aneurysms were evaluated based on GOS (Glascow outcome scale): 55 cases had GOS of 5 scores, 12 cases had GOS of 4 scores, 3 cases had GOS of 3 scores, and 1 case had GOS of 1 score. There were 67 SAH patients with good prognosis (GOS of 4–5 scores). In our study, the incidence of complications was 12.7%. Three cases experienced acute thrombosis, 2 cases experienced aneurysm rupture during embolization, and 1 case experienced postoperative focal ischemic changes with mild neurological deficits.

CONCLUSIONS: Stent-assisted coil embolization is safe, effective, and feasible for the treatment of intracranial ruptured aneurysms. Patients had a favorable outcome of as high as 94.4%. However, clinical skills should be improved to reduce the occurrence of complications. Prompt and timely treatment for complications of intracranial ruptured aneurysm is also of great significance.

Keywords: Aneurysm, endovascular procedures, Postoperative Complications, Subarachnoid Hemorrhage