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Decoding Stroke Risks: How to Reduce Procedure Times and Improve Outcomes

Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research highlights the critical role of procedure time in preventing thromboembolism during cerebral aneurysm coiling."

Stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability and death worldwide. While advancements in medical technology have improved treatment options, the risk of complications during procedures such as coil embolization for cerebral aneurysms remains a significant concern. Recent research sheds light on modifiable factors that can dramatically reduce these risks.

Coil embolization is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat cerebral aneurysms, which are weakened areas in the blood vessels of the brain that can rupture and cause a stroke. During this procedure, tiny coils are inserted into the aneurysm to block blood flow and prevent rupture. However, thromboembolism, the formation of blood clots that can travel to the brain and cause a stroke, is a known complication.

A groundbreaking study has identified procedure time as a critical, modifiable factor in reducing the risk of thromboembolism during coil embolization. This article delves into the findings of this research, offering insights into how healthcare professionals can optimize their techniques to improve patient safety and outcomes.

Why Does Procedure Time Matter in Stroke Prevention?

The study, which retrospectively evaluated 180 cerebral aneurysms treated with coil embolization, revealed a significant correlation between procedure time and the incidence of thromboembolic events. The research team meticulously analyzed data from a single-center database, classifying high-signal lesions on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) as acute thromboembolic infarctions. The primary outcome was the presence of these DWI-positive lesions.

The results indicated that patients who experienced thromboembolism after coil embolization were more likely to have been hypertensive and had longer procedure times. Multivariable analysis confirmed that increasing procedure time significantly increased the risk of thromboembolism. Specifically, a longer procedure time increased the risk of thromboembolism by 1.09 times.

Hypertension: Managing blood pressure is crucial during the procedure.
Procedure Time: Minimizing the duration of the procedure is key to reducing risk.
Coiling Methods: Techniques such as conventional, balloon-assisted, and stent-assisted coiling can influence outcomes.
Double Catheter Technique: The choice of technique can impact procedure time and risk.
Number of Coils Used: Optimizing the number of coils is essential.

These findings underscore the importance of efficiency and precision during coil embolization procedures. By focusing on reducing procedure time, interventionists can potentially minimize the risk of thromboembolism and improve patient outcomes. The study emphasizes that while various factors contribute to the risk, procedure time stands out as a modifiable element that warrants careful attention.

Practical Steps to Reduce Procedure Time and Enhance Safety

The study's conclusion calls for interventionists to consider proper techniques during coil embolization and establish efficient peri-procedural processes to reduce thromboembolism by shortening procedure time. This can be achieved through meticulous planning, streamlined workflows, and the use of advanced imaging and navigation technologies. Continuous training and skill development are also essential to ensure that medical teams are proficient in performing these procedures efficiently and safely.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.jns.2017.08.2481, Alternate LINK

Title: Reducing Procedure Time Is The Most Modifiable Factor For Reducing Thromboembolism On Coil Embolization Of Cerebral Aneurysm

Subject: Neurology (clinical)

Journal: Journal of the Neurological Sciences

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: L. Sang-Hwa, K. Seonghyeon, H. Subum, K. Chulho, S. Jong-Hee, C. Hyuk Jai

Published: 2017-10-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is coil embolization, and why is it used to treat cerebral aneurysms?

Coil embolization is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat cerebral aneurysms, which are weak spots in brain blood vessels that can rupture and cause strokes. During coil embolization, tiny coils are inserted into the aneurysm to block blood flow, preventing rupture. Thromboembolism, a complication involving blood clots that can cause stroke, is a risk of the procedure that can be reduced by minimizing procedure time, optimizing coiling methods like balloon-assisted coiling, and managing hypertension.

How does the length of the coil embolization procedure impact the risk of stroke for patients?

Research indicates a significant correlation between the duration of the coil embolization procedure and the risk of thromboembolic events. Specifically, longer procedure times can increase the risk of thromboembolism. The study showed that increasing procedure time increased the risk of thromboembolism by 1.09 times. By reducing procedure time, interventionists can potentially minimize this risk. Important factors include coiling methods such as stent-assisted coiling and the double catheter technique.

Besides procedure time, what other factors can influence the risk of thromboembolism during cerebral aneurysm coiling?

Besides procedure time, other factors that can influence the risk of thromboembolism during coil embolization include hypertension, coiling methods (conventional, balloon-assisted, and stent-assisted coiling), the double catheter technique, and the number of coils used. Managing blood pressure and optimizing coiling techniques are crucial alongside minimizing procedure time. While the study identifies procedure time as a modifiable element, addressing these additional factors contributes to enhanced patient safety.

What specific steps can medical teams take to reduce procedure time during coil embolization and improve patient outcomes?

Medical teams can reduce procedure time during coil embolization through meticulous planning, streamlined workflows, and the use of advanced imaging and navigation technologies. Continuous training and skill development are also essential to ensure proficiency. By establishing efficient peri-procedural processes and considering proper techniques, interventionists can minimize the risk of thromboembolism. Focusing on procedure time alongside factors like coiling methods can significantly improve patient outcomes.

What are the implications of using different coiling methods, such as balloon-assisted or stent-assisted coiling, on procedure time and patient outcomes in cerebral aneurysm treatment?

Different coiling methods, such as conventional, balloon-assisted, and stent-assisted coiling, can influence both procedure time and patient outcomes. The choice of coiling technique can affect the efficiency of the procedure and the risk of complications like thromboembolism. For instance, stent-assisted coiling might be used for wide-necked aneurysms but could add complexity if not performed efficiently. The double catheter technique also has implications. Optimizing the coiling method for each specific case is crucial for minimizing procedure time and improving overall patient safety and outcomes.