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Abstract #0761

4D Flow MRI in Arterio-Venous Malformations

Michael Markl1, Tim Carroll1, Parmede Vakil1, Sameer Ansari1, Susanne Schnell1, Michael Hurley1, James Carr1, Bernard Bendok1, Hunt Batjer1

1Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States


The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of 4D flow MRI for the comprehensive characterizations of flow patterns in the complex vasculature of arterio-venous malformations (AVM). 3D blood flow visualization revealed intricate vascularization in 12 patients with AVM of different size, location, and severity as specified by the Spetzler-Martin grade. Different patterns of venous drainage with high variability in regional blood flow velocities indicate the complex nature of AVMs. In three patients, we were able to quantify changes in AVM hemodynamics following staged interventional embolization indicating the sensitivity of the technique for comprehensive hemodynamic monitoring during therapy.