Local thrombolytics via balloon-assisted intra-arterial infusion as rescue therapy for thromboembolism during endovascular coil embolisation

Abstract

Thromboembolism is the most frequent complication of coil embolisation for intracranial aneurysm. Complications of thromboembolism can lead to stroke and have a serious impact on sequelae and mortality, necessitating appropriate rescue therapy. Here, we succeeded in recanalisation of an occluded stent by balloon-assisted local infusion of a thrombolytic agent following stent-assisted coil embolisation of an unruptured posterior communicating artery aneurysm. This method involves inflating a microballoon just distal to the occluded vessel and then administering a thrombolytic agent through a microcatheter. This technique may increase the rate of vessel reopening by maximising the local drug concentration. This method can be applied to any type of thrombolytic agent and helps reduce the dose of systemic drugs, which might decrease the incidence of haemorrhagic complications. Balloon-assisted intra-arterial thrombolytic infusion for an occluded vessel during endovascular coil embolisation could offer an alternative rescue therapy when conventional thrombolytic agent administration fails to improve thromboembolism.