Adenosine induced cardiac pause in neuroendovascular management of AVM with fistula

Coil assisted glue embolization to improve safety and accuracy in endovascular management of Vein of Galen patients

BACKGROUND

Vein of Galen malformation (VOGM) patients present in neonatal age with cardiac failure or significant neurologic consequences. The most established method of treatment has been transarterial embolization with high concentration glue (N-Butyl Cyano Acrylate) which may be difficult to control due to very high flow rates and may migrate to the venous side with undesirable consequences. We describe our experience in four patients in whom initial coil placement in prominent feeding arteries helped inflow reduction thereby facilitating controlled glue injection with a good result and no incidence of non-target embolization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four neonates who had presented during the last three years with cardiac failure were included in the study. Prominent feeders identified on imaging or DSA were treated with transarterial helical coil placement in the terminal segment just before the VOGM sac followed by controlled glue injection. The outcome was assessed by detailed clinical and imaging follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 10 most prominent feeders were embolized in four patients. Complete embolization of the VOGM was achieved in two patients in a single session. One patient with residual small feeders showed subsequent thrombosis of these feeders, possibly secondary to flow reduction in the sac. One patient still shows thin residual feeders but good clinical improvement and is being planned for follow-up and a second session at one year of age. No complications were observed. All patients showed immediate improvement in cardiac failure and good neurological development on follow-up. On imaging, the VOGM sac regressed completely (3 patients) or significantly in size (1 patient).

CONCLUSION

Planned coil placement in the terminal part of prominent feeding arteries reduced the flow and provided lattice on which glue deposits in a controlled manner without any incidence of non-target embolization in our study. This relatively less described technique increases the safety and accuracy of the endovascular treatment in VOGM patients.

Anesthetic Management of Patients Undergoing Intravascular Treatment of Cerebral Aneurysms and Arteriovenous Malformations

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) rupture risk is a complex calculation, and the risks of rupture are influenced by the location and anatomy of the AVM, as well as any history of recurrence. Endovascular treatment of AVMs commonly includes embolization using a liquid embolizate of ethyl vinyl alcohol copolymer. The technique has been enhanced by the invention of detachable tip microcatheters. Embolization may be curative or may be used as part of multimodal therapy for AVMs to reduce their size before open or radiosurgery approaches. These therapies and the consideration necessary to plan for and effectively anesthetize patients undergoing them are discussed.