Endovascular treatment of ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms: Our experience in a decade

Introduction: The rupture of an intracranial aneurysm is a vital emergency. Both surgical and endovascular approach are valid therapeutic options in this situation. Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of endovascular approach of ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms in ten years of experience. Methods: We analyzed all patients diagnosed and treated intracranial aneurysm using an endovascular approach in our center for ten years, from 2003 to 2012. Results: A total of 45 unruptured cerebral aneurysms in 38 patients and 106 ruptured aneurysms were embolized; a total of 151 cerebral aneurysms in 144 patients. In all, 89 were women (61.5%) and 55 men (38.5%). The mean age of the patients was 55.5 +/- 4.4 years. In patients treated of ruptured aneurysms the time of stay in ICU was significantly higher than in patients treated of unruptured aneurysm (10.4 vs 1.6 days; p<0.001). Complications occurred in the first 24 hours since the procedure were dominant in the group of patients treated of ruptured aneurysms (2.2% vs 35.8%; p < 0.001). In all, 97.8% of patients treated of unruptured aneurysm and 72.6% of those treated of ruptured aneurysm were independent for basic activities of daily living one year after the procedure. Conclusions: Patients with unruptured cerebral aneurysms treated by endovascular approach presented few complications and an early recovery. Patients with ruptured as well as unruptured cerebral aneurysms achieved a high proportion of independence for daily living activities after one year.