Imagine you’re a superhero scientist, armed with multiple gadgets to battle an army of formidable villains. In a similar way, this study investigates the use of multiple pipeline embolization devices (multi-PEDs) to combat complex intracranial aneurysms. The researchers delve into the indications and strategies behind applying multi-PEDs, shedding light on their safety and efficacy. The participants in the study were treated with two or more PEDs across multiple centers in China, making it a unique and thorough investigation. With the help of modified Rankin and O’Kelly–Marotta grading scales, the clinical outcomes and aneurysm healing results were evaluated in a comprehensive manner. The study found that multi-PED treatment is particularly effective for large-scale fusiform aneurysms, large/giant saccular aneurysms with a jet-sign, salvage of failed PED treatments, and cases where the diameter of the parent artery varies greatly. Although some patients experienced neurological dysfunction during the perioperative period, the majority achieved favorable results at follow-up. This exciting research paves the way for improved treatment options for complex intracranial aneurysms. If you’re eager to dive deeper into this topic, check out the underlying research!

BackgroundThe Pipeline for Uncoilable or Failed Aneurysms (PUFS) trial primarily demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the implantation of multiple pipeline embolization devices (multi-PEDs) for large/giant intracranial aneurysms. However, no study has focused on when, why, or how to apply multi-PEDs.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the indications and strategies of using multi-PEDs for complex intracranial aneurysms.MethodsPatients who had been treated with two or more PEDs were included in the post-market multicenter registry study from 2014 to 2019, across 14 centers in China. Indications, strategies, perioperative safety, and clinical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. The modified Rankin scale (mRS) score was used to evaluate clinical outcomes comprehensively, and the O’Kelly–Marotta (OKM) grading scale was used to evaluate aneurysm healing results.ResultsA total of 55 intracranial aneurysms were treated with multi-PEDs. There were 20 fusiform aneurysms with a large range, 25 large/giant saccular aneurysms, six aneurysms with failed treatment, and four aneurysms with greatly varied diameters of the parent artery. The strategies included telescope techniques in 40 patients and overlap techniques in 15 patients. In total, 120 stents were deployed in 55 patients. The operation styles included 25 patients (55.6%) with two PEDs, 21 patients (38.2%) with two PEDs combined with coiling, four patients (7.3%) with three PEDs, four patients (7.3%) with three PEDs combined with coiling, and one patient (1.8%) with four PEDs. Angiography revealed OKM D in two, OKM C in seven, and OKM A and B in 46 cases after surgery. During the perioperative period, eight patients developed neurological dysfunction, three of whom died. A total of thirty-four patients were followed up with digital subtraction angiography for 2–45 (8.2 ± 8.0) months. Angiography revealed OKM D in 26, OKM C in five, and OKM B in three. At the last follow-up, the mRS score was 0–1 in 52 patients.ConclusionThe treatment of anterior circulation aneurysms with multi-PEDs is safe and effective. The implantation of multi-PEDs could be considered for large-scale fusiform aneurysms, large/giant saccular aneurysms with a jet-sign, salvage of failed PED treatments, and in cases where the diameter of the parent artery varies greatly.

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