What is Flow Diversion?
It is a forma of treatment of brain aneurysms wherein a stent like device is placed in the portion of the artery from which the aneurysm arises. The flow diverter decreases the flow of blood within the aneurysm to the extent that the aneurysm is occluded.
How effective is Flow Diversion?
Results from many studies have shown that flow diversion is a safe and effective treatment for aneurysms, more so for unruptured aneurysms. Flow diversion removes the need to enter the aneurysm during surgery, which is the most dangerous part of endovascular treatment of aneurysms, according to medical experts. The risk of rupturing during surgery is greatly diminished by not placing a device inside the aneurysm.
What are the drawbacks of Flow Diversion treatment for brain aneurysms?
What questions should I ask my doctor if he/she recommends flow diversion to treat my brain aneurysm?
First of all, not all aneurysms can be treated by Flow Diversion treatment. Ans, there is a considerable number of aneurysms that can be treated by surgical clipping or simple coiling. Following factors need to be considered while choosing flow diversion treatment for an aneurysm
It is a forma of treatment of brain aneurysms wherein a stent like device is placed in the portion of the artery from which the aneurysm arises. The flow diverter decreases the flow of blood within the aneurysm to the extent that the aneurysm is occluded.
How effective is Flow Diversion?
Results from many studies have shown that flow diversion is a safe and effective treatment for aneurysms, more so for unruptured aneurysms. Flow diversion removes the need to enter the aneurysm during surgery, which is the most dangerous part of endovascular treatment of aneurysms, according to medical experts. The risk of rupturing during surgery is greatly diminished by not placing a device inside the aneurysm.
What are the drawbacks of Flow Diversion treatment for brain aneurysms?
- The aneurysm does not close immediately, thus, there is a small risk of rupture until the aneurysm closes
- One has to be on blood thinner medications for 1-2 years or more
- The treatment is expensive in India (as compared to simple coiling or surgical clipping)
What questions should I ask my doctor if he/she recommends flow diversion to treat my brain aneurysm?
First of all, not all aneurysms can be treated by Flow Diversion treatment. Ans, there is a considerable number of aneurysms that can be treated by surgical clipping or simple coiling. Following factors need to be considered while choosing flow diversion treatment for an aneurysm
- Can the patient be on two blood thinners for 1-2 years (patients at risk of bleeding do not tolerate blood thinners well)
- Can the aneurysm be treated effectively by surgical clipping or simple coiling?
- Has the aneurysm ruptured or not?
What are the available Flow Diverting Devices in Indian market?
- Pipeline Embolization Device (eV3, Medtronic)
- Silk (Balt Extrusion, Montmorency, France)
- Surpass (Stryker)
- FRED (Microvention)
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