ARTERIOVENOUS MALFORMATION MODEL FOR TRAINING AND RESEARCH

PURPOSE: To develop an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) model for teac hing embolization techniques and for researching and developing new in terventional devices. METHODS: Open pore cellulose sponges 2 to 5 cm i n diameter were coated with a watertight elastomer. One to three affer ent tubes (arteries) and one large efferent tube (vein) allowed insert ion of the model into a circuit of pulsatile, flowing, non-Newtonian f luid. Using fluoroscopy and angiographic imaging, five neuroradiologis ts practiced occluding the AVM nidus with a variety of techniques and cyanoacrylate mixtures. RESULTS: The model appeared and behaved like a human brain AVM. Attempts to teach liquid adhesive techniques were su ccessful, and though they were stressful for the trainee, failure had none of the disastrous sequelae that attend training with human subjec ts. CONCLUSION: The AVM training and research model is of value in int roducing physicians to the techniques needed for endovascular cyanoacr ylate therapy: it allows users to develop skills at their own rates, a nd permits safe ''failure-mode'' learning.