Intravenous Administration of Acetylsalicylic Acid During Endovascular Treatment of Cerebral Aneurysms Reduces the Rate of Thromboembolic Events

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of a modified intraoperative anticoagulation strategy including acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on complication rates during endovascular coil embolization. METHODS: Two hundred and sixty-one cerebral aneurysms were treated in 247 patients by endovascular coil embolization from January 2001 to September 2004. Additional intravenous administration of 250 mg ASA was applied since January 2003. Patients treated before (-ASA; n=102 aneurysms) and after that date (+ASA; n=159 aneurysms) were compared. End points were rates of thromboembolism and severity of hemorrhages after intraoperative aneurysm rupture. RESULTS: Thromboembolic events during the procedure were observed more often in the -ASA group (18/102 aneurysms, 17.6%) in comparison with the +ASA group (14/159 aneurysms, 8.8%; P=0.028; Fisher exact test). Aneurysm perforation events occurring during or immediately after the procedure were observed equally often in the -ASA group (7/102 aneurysms, 6.9%) in comparison with the +ASA group (10/159 aneurysms, 6.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous application of ASA is feasible and safe during interventional aneurysm embolization. ASA seems to be associated with a significant reduction in the rate of thromboembolic events without increase in the rate or severity of intraoperative bleedings.