We aimed to identify the initial preliminary experience with flow diverting
stents (FDS) for the treatment of
intracranial aneurysms (IA). A PubMed search was performed to identify studies reporting patients treated with FDS. Selection was made for studies that provided either immediate or short term follow-up data. For each study, the number of patients and IA were identified. Details regarding the
aneurysm itself were recorded; such as
aneurysm morphology (saccular or fusiform), location, and
rupture status. The primary treatment modality and the number of
stents used to treat each
aneurysm was recorded along with the antiplatelet regimen used. Outcomes such as
aneurysm occlusion and complications, including
stroke, in-
stent thrombosis and
stenosis, and death were identified. The average length of follow-up was calculated in weeks. A total of 10 manuscripts reporting 206 IA in 190 patients were identified in the literature. Occlusion rates were variably reported, ranging from 58% to 94% in the larger series. Major complications of treatment included
stroke (6.0%), in-
stent thrombosis and
stenosis (4.9%), and death (3.3%). A phenomenon of delayed
aneurysm rupture was also identified. We concluded that flow diverting
stents have proven effective in a variety of scenarios. The major complications with FDS have related to perforator artery
stroke,
aneurysm re-
rupture, and in-
stent stenosis and
thrombosis. Long-term efficacy, optimal
antithrombotic agent regimen, and perforator
stroke risk are yet to be determined.