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Cerebral aneurysm

Cerebral aneurysms are weak balloon-like defects that protrude from arterial walls of intracranial vessels. The condition is worsened by high blood pressure, aging and atherosclerosis.

An estimated 40,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with cerebral aneurysms each year. Of these, 28,000 will rupture, resulting in immediate death for about 10,000 patients. Of those who survive, approximately 5,000 are not surgical candidates, and another 5,000 not only are not surgical candidates but carry the same risk of rupture at any time. These inoperable aneurysms are now treatable through a neuroendovascular technique using retrievable and electrically detachable coils. This is called the Guglielini Detachable Coil (GDC) System.

The GDC is one example of the latest neuroendovascular therapies now available at St. Luke's Medical Center for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms. St. Luke's is one of a limited number of medical centers nationwide with a team of health care experts who are specially training in neuroendovascular procedures.

Neuroendovascular therapy is a highly effective treatment for a range of central nervous system conditions including cerebral aneurysm, acute stroke, intracranial and extracranial atherosclerotic disease, cerebral vasospasm, cerebral arteriovenous malformations, and cancerous and non-cancerous tumors.

The advantages of neuroendovascular therapy are:

• It can be used in inoperable conditions
• Shorter disability and hospital stay
• Avoids head shaving
• Avoids craniotomy
• Avoids general anesthesia
• Minimal blood loss, thereby avoiding transfusions
• Lower infection risk
• Less lifestyle disruption

The GDC referred to earlier is a soft platinum alloy micro-coil that is placed into an aneurysm in a controlled manner by a microcatheter/guidewire. The microcatheter is inserted through the femoral artery in the leg and threaded through the cerebral vessels to reach the aneurysm.

After being properly positioned, the coil is released into the aneurysm by application of a very low voltage electrical current. This causes the coil to be detached from the guidewire. Once in place, the GDC fills the aneurysm, isolating it from the circulation, thereby reducing the pressure and the likelihood of a rupture and hemorrhagic stroke.