Our Neuro Interventional Radiology (IR) team has become the first in London, and only the second in the country, to trial a new device, the Artisse intrasaccular device, for treating patients with brain aneurysms.

A brain aneurysm is when there is a weakness in the wall of a blood vessel in the brain. Treatment is important as there is a risk of rupture of the blood vessel which can cause complications, and even death in extreme cases.

Our Neuro IR team offer minimally invasive x-ray guided procedures, reaching the blood vessels via a tiny incision in the groin, then using catheters (long narrow tubes) and wires to access the aneurysm. There are several different types of treatment including coils, stents and coils, flow diverting stents, or intrasaccular devices, like the Artisse.

The device, which we introduced over two focused days in March to treat three patients, uses mesh to fill the aneurysm from inside. It then opens out like a basket, filling the entire volume of the aneurysm so there is less chance of movement.

Tufail Patankar, our lead consultant interventional neuroradiologist, carried out the procedures. He said:

“The technology for treating aneurysms is constantly evolving and becoming more minimally invasive, which is better for patients, reducing their recovery time, and easier for us to carry out.

“I’ve used a lot of new devices and found this to be more conformable to the aneurysm and it allows better blood flow around it. It’s softer and easier to push, which makes the procedure less complicated and safer, as there is always a risk of rupture during surgery. It goes inside and stays inside, treating quickly and safely with no damage to the patient.

“There have been less than 100 of these procedures completed across western Europe and being chosen as the first centre to trial it in London is a great boost for our Trust.”

Interest in the new procedure meant we had experts from across the country and the world visit Queen’s Hospital to observe the first procedures.

Patients stayed overnight, due to the anaesthetic, before being able to return to their normal lives the next day.

Pictured top are members of our Neuro Interventional Radiology team and guests in one of our theatres.