Flared non-flow diverting ends of the FRED flow diverter for cerebral aneurysms facilitate device anchoring at the arterial bifurcation

Abstract

Introduction

The Flow Redirection Intraluminal Device (FRED) flow diverter has a unique bilayer design, with the outer scaffolding stent extending beyond the inner flow diverting component by about 3 mm at each end. Here, we describe a technique to utilize these unrestrained flared ends for precise flow diverter placement in cases where the aneurysm and an adjacent branch are in close proximity and branch jailing is not desired, such as in posterior communicating artery aneurysms.

Technical note: The distal end of the FRED device is pushed out of the microcatheter at the carotid terminus. Once the distal flared ends are fully open and well situated in the terminus, ideally with at least one of the limbs in the A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery, the device is unsheathed under gentle forward pressure. This technique stabilizes the device at the distal landing zone and prevents unintended foreshortening at the distal end. This is particularly important for aneurysms located adjacent to the carotid terminus in order to assure adequate neck coverage, as well as avoiding jailing one of the branching parent arteries. An illustrative case is provided.

Conclusions

The non-flow diverting unrestrained flared ends of the FRED stabilize the distal end of the device when deployed directly into the branches at the arterial bifurcation. The technique is useful to provide adequate neck coverage of cerebral aneurysm located directly adjacent to the bifurcation as is frequently the case with posterior communicating artery aneurysms.