Vein of Galen Malformation is a condition associated with a tangled web of abnormal blood vessels deep in the brain. If left untreated, this malformation steals vital blood and oxygen meant for the heart and lungs leading to pulmonary hypertension and CCF and death in 95% of patients. Treatment consists of clipping the malformation and restoring normal blood flow, but the operation requires retracting the newborn's brain posing a high risk of death from bleeding. Surgery reduces the mortality to 85%.

A new, less-invasive catheter approach is innovated that embolizes these malformations bringing the chance of survival for these babies up to 50 percent. The procedure has to be done in stages to decrease the risk of embolization in the large carotids and consists of introduction of a catheter through the femoral artery upto the carotids and injecting the drug.


Last updated on 13-02-2003