Neither polymer coated nor gel coated coils perform better than a bare platinum coil used to prevent brain aneurysms from recurring, it has been claimed.

Researchers from the Neuroscience Institute at the University of Cincinnati (UC) and University Hospital claim that the platinum coils offer the same performance as other coils when evaluated for the risk of intracranial aneurysm recurrence after endovascular treatment.

Andrew Ringer led the study and said: "The purpose of our study was to assess the effectiveness of these new treatments. We found that neither of these newer - and more costly - coils performed any better than the bare platinum coils."

The team analysed outcomes over a three-and-a-half-year period of 100 successively treated patients who had suffered ruptured aneurysms of medium size, Science Daily reported.

By the end of year one the platinum coils were associated with the least number of repeated treatments (6.4 per cent) while the gel coil (11.5 per cent) and the polymer coated coil (20.9) saw more cases of repeated treatment.

According to Mr Ringer, the results "suggest the possibility that a factor, or factors, other than coil-surface coating may be responsible for reducing aneurysm recurrence".

Sources:

New Devices Less Effective In Thwarting Brain Aneurysm Recurrence, 21/02/08
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080221162358.htm

Ÿ Adfero Ltd