Systematic Review of Endovascular, Surgical, and Conservative Options for Infectious Intracranial Aneurysms and Cardiac Considerations

Ranjan Ragulojan, Stephen Grupke, Justin F. Fraser

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: With rising rates of intravenous drug use, Infectious Intracranial aneurysms (IIAs) are a relevant topic for investigation. We performed a systematic review to better understand current practice patterns and limits of current published literature. Method: 131 publications with a total of 499 patients (665 aneurysms) were included. Of the 499 patients, 83 were single case reports, and 20.5% of the total had multiple aneurysms. 35.8% of all aneurysms were ruptured. Of those reporting treatment, options included conservative antibiotic therapy (30.0%), open surgical intervention (31.1%), and endovascular occlusion (31.8%). Chronologically, publication of IIAs has increased. Usage of endovascular therapies has grown, while conservative and surgical management have declined in the literature. Overall, 56.2% of aneurysms for which conservative therapy was initiated eventually either underwent intervention or death of patient occurred. Results: The issue of cardiac valve surgery in relationship to aneurysm therapy was discussed in 20.8% (80 patients) of all 384 infectious endocarditis patients; of which 15.0% (12) underwent valve surgery before aneurysm treatment and 85.0 patients (68)% underwent valve surgery after aneurysm treatment. For 51 of the patients where valve surgery followed aneurysm management, the corresponding aneurysm treatment modality could be determined; 58.8% (30) of whom were managed endovascularly. 32.7% (26) of all cases reporting cardiac surgery details underwent cardiac surgery during their admission with the IIA. Conclusions: Overall, increasing trend of endovascular management of IIAs is evident, and a strong temporal preference exhibited by providers to perform cardiac surgery subsequently to IIA management.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)838-844
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases
Volume28
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2019

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 National Stroke Association

Keywords

  • Infectious intracranial aneurysms—mycotic aneurysms—systematic review—management—endovascular—surgical

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Rehabilitation
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Systematic Review of Endovascular, Surgical, and Conservative Options for Infectious Intracranial Aneurysms and Cardiac Considerations'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this