Purpose The Penumbra Coil 400 System (PC 400) are the newly introduced platinum coils designed specifically to enhance filling efficiency by increasing coil diameter. Reported herein are the results of a comparison study to assess the PC 400's filling advantage in the treatment of cerebral aneurysms as compared to conventional embolic coils (Controls). Particular focus was put on the extent to which the larger diameter affects acute packing density, embolization time and the aneurysm occlusion at 6 months post-treatment.

Methods This was a single center, retrospective case-review of 111 aneurysm cases treated in 110 patients by the PC 400 (N=16) or Controls (N=95). The aneurysm and procedural characteristics listed below were evaluated. Aneurysm volume and packing density were calculated using AngioCalc (http://www.angiocalc.com), an open source aneurysm calculator endorsed by the manufacturers of the currently available coil systems. Aneurysm occlusion was graded using investigator reported Raymond Scale classification immediately post-procedure, and at 6 (±2) months when patient follow-up was available. The data was then evaluated for statistical significance.

Conclusion Aneurysm embolization with PC 400 achieved statistically significant greater packing density compared with conventional coils. This was achieved with less procedure time and less total number of coils despite statistically significant greater aneurysm volume. For patient follow-up, the seven PC 400 cases had a greater percentage of Class I Raymond Scale occlusion compared to the controls with available data at 6 months. Our data confirms that when compared to conventional coils, the PC 400 is indeed more efficient in the embolization of cerebral aneurysm, without affecting accessibility or safety.

Competing interests A Patel: Penumbra, Inc. A Kamath: None. M Polykarpou: None. J Mascitelli: None. A Patel: None. H Moyle: None.