Ahead of Print: Comparison Between Angioplasty using Compliant and Non-Compliant Balloons for Treatment of Cerebral Vasospasm Associated with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

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BACKGROUND: Considerable controversy exists regarding the choice of balloon used for performing angioplasty as treatment of cerebral vasospasm associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of compliant and non-compliant balloons on angiographic and clinical outcomes among patients with SAH related cerebral vasospasm.

METHODS: Consecutive patients with cerebral vasospasm who underwent balloon angioplasty were included. Patient characteristics, rate of angiographic recurrence, and occurrence of cerebral infarcts in the affected vessel distribution were compared between arteries treated using different balloons.