Pigtail Catheter Assistance in Guiding Catheter Navigation for Transradial Access for Embolization of Anterior Circulation Aneurysms

Background The effect and safety of pigtail catheter assistance in navigating the guiding catheter for embolization of anterior circulation aneurysms through the transradial access are unknown. Aims This study was to evaluate the effect and safety of pigtail catheter assistance in navigating the guiding catheter for embolization of anterior circulation aneurysms through the transradial access. Methods Seventy patients with intracranial aneurysms treated with endovascular embolization were retrospectively enrolled. The clinical, endovascular treatment and follow‐up data were analyzed. Results There were 70 aneurysms, including 47 (67.1% or 47/70) unruptured aneurysms and 23 (32.9% or 23/70) ruptured ones. The surgery was successful in 68 (97.1% or 68/70) patients, with a failure in two (2.9% or 2/70) patients. A 6 F guiding catheter was used in 28 (40% or 28/70) patients, and a 6 F intermediate catheter in 42 (60% or 42/70). Stent‐assisted coiling was conducted in 50 (71.4% or 50/70) patients, and coiling alone in 20 (28.6% or 20/70). Immediately after embolization, complete occlusion was in 56 (80% or 56/70), neck remnant in 12 (17.1% or 12/70), and residual aneurysm sac in 2 (2.9% or 2/70). Periprocedural complications occurred in four (5.7% or 4/70) patients. Six‐month angiographic follow‐up was performed in 54 (77.1% or 54/70) patients with 54 aneurysms, and the Raymond‐Roy aneurysm occlusion classification was complete occlusion in 46 (85.2% or 46/54), neck remnant in 8 (14.8% or 14/54), and residual aneurysm sac in 0, which was not significantly ( p = 0.16) different from that immediately after embolization. Conclusion The pigtail catheter assistance in guiding catheter navigation for embolizing anterior circulation aneurysms via the transradial access is safe and effective even though further confirmation is required.