LVIS Blue as a Stand-alone “Flow Diverter”

Flow diversion fundamentally changes the treatment approach towards intracranial aneurysms. Most currently available devices established efficacy and safety data in the proximal anterior circulation; the distal and posterior circulations remain areas of active research. LVIS Blue is a stent with 28% metal coverage approved for use as a coil adjuvant. Some studies indicate potential “flow diverter” properties. We sought to evaluate the LVIS Blue as a stand-alone “flow diverter” for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. We performed an observational single-center study to evaluate initial occlusion and occlusion at six months follow-up for patients with distal or posterior circulation aneurysms treated with the LVIS Blue as a “flow diverter” at our institution. Ten aneurysms were treated over the course of two years with six-month angiographic follow-up. Seven lesions were in the distal anterior circulation and were unruptured (five anterior communicating artery, one M2 middle cerebral artery, one pericallosal). Three were posterior circulation (two basilar tip aneurysms, one P2 posterior cerebral artery aneurysm). Follow up demonstrated treatment effect in nine of ten aneurysms (four complete aneurysm occlusions, five lesions with decreased size and flow). One lesion showed no treatment response. No ischemic or hemorrhagic complications were noted during placement or clinical follow-up. LVIS Blue can function safely as a “flow diverter” in the distal and posterior circulations. Further data regarding long-term efficacy is needed.