Mexico introduces innovative technology for treating brain aneurysms

A new technological solution for treating wide-necked intracranial aneurysms was presented in Mexico City, offering a less invasive endovascular treatment option. The device, named WEB, is designed by Mexican company Levbeth Medical and is inserted via catheterization directly into the aneurysm.

Once in place, the WEB device modifies blood flow, encouraging the aneurysm to seal off from circulation while preserving surrounding arteries. This innovation addresses a significant medical challenge, as intracranial aneurysms are a critical emergency. In Mexico, approximately 7,800 cases occur annually, with a prevalence of 2-3% of the adult population living with unruptured aneurysms. The condition most frequently affects individuals between 40 and 60 years old, with women being twice as likely to develop them as men.

Experts highlighted the severity of these potentially fatal conditions. Dr. Víctor Hugo Escobar of the National Medical Center "20 de Noviembre" noted that four out of ten patients whose aneurysms rupture die before reaching a hospital. He emphasized that these lesions often remain asymptomatic until rupture, with the first sign being a sudden, severe headache, sometimes accompanied by seizures or vision changes.

Dr. Héctor Alfredo Montenegro of Hospital Médica Sur pointed out that aneurysms at arterial bifurcations are particularly challenging. The WEB technology provides a precise solution for these complex cases. The procedure using the new device takes approximately 40 minutes to two hours, significantly reducing the surgical impact. In selected cases, patients can be discharged just three days after a successful intervention.

International clinical studies support the device's efficacy, showing an 87.2% occlusion rate at five years and no instances of re-bleeding in treated patients, including those with ruptured aneurysms.