Hemodynamic aspects of cerebral arteriovenous malformations

Local hemodynamics were studied in 16 patients undergoing total extirpation of cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Directional Doppler technique was used for the registration of blood velocities in vessels feeding and draining the AVM. Calculated flow in single feeding arteries ranged from 3 to 550 ml/min (average, 180 ml/min). An estimation of total AVM flow was possible in nine patients, and ranged from 150 to more than 900 ml/min (average, 490 ml/min). Pressure recordings were made from feeding arteries at their entrance to the AVM. This pressure was well below the systemic arterial blood pressure in all cases, and ranged from 40 to 77 mm Hg (average, 56 mm Hg). On temporary occlusion, this stump pressure instantly rose to from 55 to 95 mm Hg (average, 76 mm Hg). Draining vein pressure before occlusion ranged from 8 to 23 mm Hg (average, 15 mm Hg), and fell to zero in all patients when the AVM was occluded. These data and other clinical observations are discussed with regard to adjacent brain-tissue perfusion, and with special emphasis on the circulatory breakthrough that can follow the occlusion of these high-capacity shunts.