Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations Viewpoint: Endovascular Therapy Perspective

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare lesions with aggressive natural histories that predispose the patients, who are generally young at the time of diagnosis, to a lifetime of hemorrhage risk. The recent publication of the ARUBA trial has further complicated the decision tree for management of unruptured AVMs. AVMs require the availability of a comprehensive neurovascular service with expertise in neurosurgery, interventional neuroradiology, and radiation therapy. The decision to treat an AVM should rest upon an understanding of the natural history of these lesions as well as morbidity and mortality associated with treatment. This chapter summarizes the indications and outcomes of endovascular treatment of AVMs.