PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - S.C. Kwon AU - Y.H. Ding AU - D. Dai AU - R. Kadirvel AU - D.A. Lewis AU - D.F. Kallmes TI - Preliminary Results of the Luna Aneurysm Embolization System in a Rabbit Model: A New Intrasaccular Aneurysm Occlusion Device AID - 10.3174/ajnr.A2314 DP - 2011 Mar 01 TA - American Journal of Neuroradiology PG - 602--606 VI - 32 IP - 3 4099 - http://www.ajnr.org/content/32/3/602.short 4100 - http://www.ajnr.org/content/32/3/602.full SO - Am. J. Neuroradiol.2011 Mar 01; 32 AB - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recent advances in endovascular devices have been aimed at providing high density, mesh-like metallic materials across the aneurysm neck, in place of coil technology. Therefore our aim was to report the in vivo preclinical performance of a self-expanding intrasaccular embolization device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Elastase-induced aneurysms were created in 12 rabbits. Each aneurysm was embolized with a Luna AES. DSA was performed preimplantation; 5, 10, and 30 minutes postimplantation; and at 1 month in 12 rabbits and at 3 months in 8 rabbits. Early postimplantation intra-aneurysmal flow was graded as unchanged, moderately diminished, or completely absent. One- and 3-month DSAs were graded by using a 3-point scale (complete, near-complete, or incomplete occlusion). Aneurysms were harvested for gross and microscopic histologic evaluation at 1 month (n = 4) and at 3 months (n = 8). Tissues within the aneurysm dome and across the aneurysm neck were assessed by using HE staining. RESULTS: Ten (83%) of 12 aneurysms demonstrated complete cessation of flow within 30 minutes of device implantation. At 1-month follow-up, 10 (83%) of 12 aneurysms were completely occluded. At 3 months, 7 of 8 (88%) aneurysms remained completely occluded. One-month gross examination in 4 rabbits demonstrated that membranous tissue completely covered the device in 3 subjects (75%). Microscopic examination showed that 3 aneurysms had loose connective tissue filling the aneurysm cavity. Three-month gross and microscopic examinations demonstrated membranous tissue completely covering the device, loose connective tissue filling the aneurysm cavity, and neointima formation crossing the aneurysm neck in 8 of 8 (100.0%) subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The Luna AES achieved high rates of complete angiographic occlusion and showed promising histologic findings in the rabbit aneurysm model. AESAneurysm Embolization SystemAn.aneurysmCAcompletely absentCOcomplete occlusionDSAdigital subtraction angiographyHEhematoxylin-eosinIVDSAintravenous digital subtraction angiographyMDmoderately diminishedNOnear-complete occlusion