Endovascular therapy of neurovascular malformations

The development of microcatheters and newer embolytic agents has made it possible to treat persons with arteriovenous malformations, arteriovenous fistulas and aneurysms. Until recently, endovascular embolization was usually performed to devascularize tumors prior to surgical removal. The growing number of neurovascular conditions that can be treated by endovascular embolization has led to the need for neuroscience nurses to be knowledgeable about indications, materials, methods, risks, patient preparation and nursing implications in the care, education and discharge planning for the embolization patient.