Off-label use of drugs and devices in the neuroendovascular suite.

SUMMARY: The off-label use of drugs and devices in neuroendovascular procedures is common. Neurointerventionalists should be well aware of the level of evidence available in support of the off-label use of drugs and devices in their practice and some of the potential adverse events associated with them. These uses are categorized as I or II if they have been evaluated as primary or ancillary interventions in prospective trials/registries of neuroendovascular procedures and III if they were evaluated in case series. Category IV use is based on evaluation as primary or ancillary interventions in prospective trials/registries of non-neuroendovascular procedures. Physicians are allowed to use off-label drugs and procedures if there is strong evidence that they are beneficial for the patient. The neurointerventional professional societies agree that off-label use of drugs and devices is an important part of the specialty, but practicing providers should base their decisions on sound evidence when using such drugs and devices.