Transcatheter arterial embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations

An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a tangled mass of arteries and veins. These abnormal dilated vessels shunt blood away from normal brain tissue, resulting in adjacent tissue damage. In the past surgical removal of an AVM was often complicated by hemorrhage. In some cases the location or size of an AVM made it unresectable. The risks of surgical removal have led to the development of alternative approaches for the treatment of AVMs, such as transcatheter arterial embolization therapy. A variety of substances can be introduced via a catheter to occlude the abnormal vessels and obliterate the AVM or to decrease size to ease surgical management. This article discusses patient selection for embolization therapy, the materials and methods used and related nursing care and patient education. A case history is presented.