New Study Explores Impact of More Uniform Distribution of Endovascular Coils in Cerebral Aneurysm Treatment

RAYNHAM, Mass., June 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study published in the June edition of the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery(1) highlights that a more uniform distribution of endovascular coils may help in the treatment of cerebral aneurysms, it was reported by Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. (Codman), a global neurovascular and neuroscience company.  Codman's DELTAPAQ™ endovascular microcoils were used in the study.

Study authors found that the novel triangular primary wind design of DELTAPAQ™ endovascular microcoils achieved a tighter packing density and a more uniform distribution of the coil mass across the aneurysm dome in comparison with helical and complex endovascular microcoils.  DELTAPAQ coils were also more likely to have the highest rate of angiographic occlusion.  

Researchers concluded that the evaluation of emerging coil technologies with respect to treatment durability may be well served by an assessment of their uniformity of distribution within an aneurysm, in addition to the traditional packing density and angiographic occlusion scoring methods.  

"This study suggests that the uniformity across the dome of the aneurysm may play an important role in enhancing the durability of endovascular treatment and is an important area for further study and confirmation," said Bernard R. Bendok, MD, study co-author and Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery and Radiology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine.*  "The application of a coil uniformity model may provide valuable design information."  

Study authors constructed silicone aneurysm models and devised an assessment tool to objectively measure the coil uniformity index, which when combined with the degree of angiographic occlusion and packing density, can provide valuable information regarding coil behavior.

In the in vitro study, DELTAPAQ coils were more uniformly distributed in the dome of the aneurysm than were the complex (CASHMERE®) and helical (HELIPAQ®) coils.  The average packing density for DELTAPAQ (39.1 %) was significantly higher than the complex (35.2%) and helical (32.2 %) coil systems.  In addition, DELTAPAQ had the highest rate of angiographic occlusion (Class 1) based on the Raymond score, a qualitative measure of permeability.

"This study encourages clinicians and industry to look at the coil uniformity index, in addition to packing density and occlusion rates, when deciding which endovascular coil to use," said Karen Prange, General Manager and Vice President, Codman Neurovascular.  "Codman remains committed to design innovation and supporting research that advances the understanding of neurovascular care.  We are pleased to see that the DELTAWIND technology performed favorably in this assessment model."

The study was funded by a research grant from Micrus Endovascular, Inc. which now operates under Codman Neurovascular, a Codman business.  

In addition to Dr. Bendok, study authors include:  Manik Mehra, MD, Matthew J. Gounis, PhD, and Robert M. King, BS, from the New England Center for Stroke Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School; Ali Shaibani, MD, Michael C. Hurley, MD, and Guilherme Dabus, MD, from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine; Elad I. Levy, MD, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of New York, Buffalo; and Fatimaezzahra E. Labdag, BS, from Micrus Endovascular, Inc.    

Endovascular coils are inserted directly into an aneurysm through a microcatheter, a small, thin, hollow tube, to block blood flow and prevent rupture, which could lead to a hemorrhagic stroke, a life-threatening condition that affects about 13 percent of the 800,000 stroke cases each year in the United States. (2)   According to the American Stroke Association, cerebral aneurysms affect 3 to 5 million people in the United States.(3)  

About Codman & Shurtleff, Inc.

Codman is a global neuroscience and neurovascular company that develops and markets a wide range of products and solutions for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders including chronic pain management, adult and pediatric hydrocephalus, neuro critical care, stroke prevention and management.  Codman is part of the DePuy Family of Companies within Johnson & Johnson.  The DePuy Family of Companies has a rich heritage of pioneering a broad range of products and solutions across the continuum of orthopaedic and neurological care.  Visit www.codman.com and www.depuy.com for more information.

*Paid consultant to Codman

(1) Mehra M, Hurley MC, Gounis MJ, et al. "The impact of coil shape design on angiographic occlusion, packing density and coil mass uniformity in aneurysm embolization: an in vitro study." J NeuroIntervent Surg 2011;3:131-136.

(2) American Stroke Association. Hemorrhagic Stroke. Available from: http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/AboutStroke/TypesofStroke/HemorrhagicBleeds/Hemorrhagic-Bleeds_UCM_310940_Article.jsp.

(3) American Stroke Association. "What You Should Know About Cerebral Aneurysms." June 2009. Available from: http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/AboutStroke/TypesofStroke/HemorrhagicBleeds/What-You-Should-Know-About-Cerebral-Aneurysms_UCM_310103_Article.jsp.

SOURCE Codman & Shurtleff, Inc.