Congestive cardiac manifestations from cerebrocranial arteriovenous shunts. Endovascular management in 30 children.

Since 1984 we have been involved in the management of 30 children who had cardiac manifestations secondary to cerebrocranial arteriovenous shunts. Aneurysm malformation of the vein of Galen was the most common vascular lesion observed (73% of cases). In 77% of the patients the cardiac symptoms were the main presenting complaint. Medical treatment and/or endovascular therapy were indicated, depending on the age of the patients and the severity of the cardiac manifestations. Following embolization, the cardiac symptoms resolved (73%) or improved (18%) in 1 or 2 sessions. Mortality in the embolized group was 9%, and transient nonneurologic morbidity occurred in one case. Overall mortality, including four patients rejected for embolization, was 20%. These results compare favorably with medical and/or surgical management, alone or combined. The technique, challenges, indications and contraindications of endovascular therapy are discussed. Embolization represents an effective adjunct treatment to control, improve or cure the congestive cardiac manifestations caused by cerebrocranial arteriovenous shunts.