Introduction Current models for the endovascular treatment of aneurysms often require the use of adjuvant devices. Balloon-assisted techniques require temporary occlusion of the parent vessel. Intravascular stents require the use of antiplatelet medication. A novel device that achieves temporary neck protection without parent vessel occlusion or antiplatelet medication is examined in a canine model.

Method 20 sidewall wide-necked aneurysms were created in 10 canines, one in each carotid artery, using a vein graft technique, and allowed to mature. In each canine, one aneurysm was catheterized with a microcatheter while the neck protection device (NPD) was unsheathed across the neck of the aneurysm and the aneurysm was coiled. The second aneurysm in each canine was coiled without an adjunctive device. The NPD was assessed for coil herniation, coil entrapment within the device, deployability and retrievability. Five animals were killed immediately and five were killed at 28 days and the carotid artery was explanted and sent for necropsy to assess for injury to the endothelium.

Results All aneurysms were successfully treated with no adverse events. The NPD was well visualized and unsheathed and resheathed successfully in all cases. There was no coil entrapment within the device, and there were no cases of coil herniation. There was no evidence of endothelial injury or dissection.

Conclusion The device was technically successful in all devices and further development of this device may be of benefit in endovascular treatment of aneurysms.