Local Anesthesia for Endovascular Treatment of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms: Feasibility, Safety, and Periprocedural Complications

Objective The aim of the study is to report the feasibility, safety, and outcomes associated with endovascular treatment (EVT) of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) under local anesthesia. Methods Between March 2011 and December 2016, 184 consecutive patients with 198 UIAs were treated with coil embolization under local anesthesia at the author's center. The data about medical comorbidities according to American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, procedural details, and clinical and radiographic outcomes were reviewed. Results A total of 388 procedures were performed under local anesthesia, and 198 procedures with UIA were included. The mean age was 63.8 ± 12.5 years, and 118 (59.6%) cases had a risk status of American Society of Anesthesiologists class III or IV. Of those 198 procedures, 196 procedures (99.0%) were completed successfully. The overall procedure-related event rate was 5% (10/198). The rates of morbidity and mortality were 0.5% (1 of 198) and 0% at 1 month, respectively. Among the 3 recurred cases (1.5%), two (1%) underwent EVT again. The mean intensive care unit stay was 0.99 ± 0.1 days, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.6 ± 7.2 days. Conclusions Local anesthesia in the EVT of UIA is feasible and safe. It could be considered as an alternative for the patients with high risk of general anesthesia.