AN EXPERIMENTAL ARTERIOVENOUS MALFORMATION MODEL IN SWINE - ANATOMIC BASIS AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE

We assessed the feasibility of creating an experimental arteriovenous malformation model in swine by diverting and increasing blood flow thr ough bilateral retia mirabilia. This was achieved by surgical formatio n of a large right-sided carotid-jugular fistula, in combination with endovascular occlusion of several neck arteries ipsilateral to the fis tula. Using this technique, 11 of 13 swine demonstrated an acute-phase angiographic simulation of an arteriovenous malformation. There was r apid circulatory diversion from the left ascending pharyngeal artery ( ''feeder''), across both retia (''nidus''), and fast retrograde flow i nto the right ascending pharyngeal and common carotid arteries (''drai ning vein'') toward the fistula. The relevant vascular anatomy of the swine head and neck is outlined, and steps in the construction of this arteriovenous malformation model are detailed.