Multilayer Flow Modulator Stents in Brain Arterial Aneurysm Treatment

Abstract

Cerebral aneurysms are mostly asymptomatic. However, if left untreated, they can rupture and cause bleeding, ultimately leading to hemorrhagic stroke and death. Therefore, they may need treatment even if they are not ruptured to prevent these potentially serious complications. Conventional treatments are inadequate in specific or complex cases of cerebral aneurysm. Flow diverting modulator (FDM) stents have gained importance in the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms in recent years. This article, based on current data, evaluates the general characteristics of FDM stents and their place in the treatment of cerebral aneurysms. Several commercial FDM stents, including Stena® Stent Intracranial Current Converter (Invamed, Ankara, Turkey), are available for use in brain aneurysms. Even some newer surface-modified flow diverters, such as p64MW-HPC (Phenox GmbH, Bochum, Germany), have been introduced to reduce thromboembolic events. Current studies show that FDMs appear to be effective and feasible in the treatment of unruptured cerebral aneurysms. Complete occlusion of the aneurysm is a relatively slow process, sometimes taking several months. More comprehensive and comparative studies are still needed.