Embolization With Autologous Fibroblast-Attached Platinum Coils in Canine Carotid Artery Aneurysms

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of autologous fibroblast-attached platinum coils on the promotion of intra-aneurysmal thrombus organization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sidewall aneurysms were surgically created at common carotid arteries bilaterally in 5 dogs. Fibroblasts were obtained from the skins of the dogs and cultured and attached to unmodified platinum coils in a 5-day coculture. In each animal, one aneurysm was embolized with fibroblast-attached platinum coils (study group) and the other with plain platinum coils of the same size (control group). RESULTS: All aneurysms were partially occluded; the mean occlusion rate was 67%. The histologic analyses performed 2 weeks after the embolization showed more advanced organization of intra-aneurysmal thrombus in the study group than in the control group (80% versus 53%, P = 0.02). Overgrowth of the organizing tissue and parent artery stenosis did not occur. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that autologous fibroblasts delivered with platinum coils could promote the organization of intra-aneurysmal thrombus. Although further research is needed, especially on the potential complications, endovascular treatment using autologous fibroblasts may be applied to aneurysm treatment.