%0 Journal Article %A Mario Martínez-Galdámez %A Saleh M Lamin %A Konstantinos G Lagios %A Thomas Liebig %A Elisa F Ciceri %A Rene Chapot %A Luc Stockx %A Swarupsinh Chavda %A Christoph Kabbasch %A Giuseppe Faragò %A Hannes Nordmeyer %A Thierry Boulanger %A Mariangela Piano %A Edoardo P Boccardi %T Treatment of intracranial aneurysms using the pipeline flex embolization device with shield technology: angiographic and safety outcomes at 1-year follow-up %D 2019 %R 10.1136/neurintsurg-2018-014204 %J Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery %P 396-399 %V 11 %N 4 %X Purpose The Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) is a routine first-line treatment option for intracranial aneurysms (IAs). The Pipeline Flex Embolization Device with Shield Technology (Pipeline Shield) is an updated version of the PED which has been modified to include a surface phosphorylcholine biocompatible polymer. Its early technical success and safety have been reported previously. Here, we assessed the long-term safety and efficacy of the Pipeline Shield for the treatment of IAs.Materials and methods The Pipeline Flex Embolization Device with Shield Technology (PFLEX) study was a prospective, single-arm, multicenter study for the treatment of unruptured IAs using the Pipeline Shield. The primary endpoint was a major stroke in the territory supplied by the treated artery or neurologic death at 1-year post-procedure. Angiographic outcomes were also assessed by an independent radiology laboratory at 6 months and 1 year.Results Fifty patients (mean age, 53 years; 82% female) with 50 unruptured IAs were treated. Mean aneurysm diameter was 8.82±6.15 mm. Of the target aneurysms, 38/50 (76%) were small (<10 mm), 11/50 (22%) were large (≥10 and<25 mm), and 1/50 (2%) was giant (≥25 mm). Forty-seven (94%) were located in the internal carotid artery and three (6%) in the vertebral artery. At 1-year post-procedure, no major strokes or neurologic deaths were reported, and complete occlusion was achieved in 27/33 (81.8%). There were no instances of aneurysm recurrence or retreatment.Conclusions Our 1-year follow-up concerning angiographic and safety outcomes corroborate previous evidence that the Pipeline Shield is a safe and effective treatment for IAs.Trial registration number NCT02390037 %U https://jnis.bmj.com/content/neurintsurg/11/4/396.full.pdf