Risk Factors for Early Brain AVM Rupture: Cohort Study of Pediatric and Adult Patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Whether architectural characteristics of ruptured brain AVMs vary across the life span is unknown. We aimed to identify angioarchitectural features associated with brain AVMs ruptured early in life.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with ruptured brain AVMs referred to 2 distinct academic centers between 2000 and 2018 were pooled and retrospectively analyzed. Imaging was retrospectively reviewed for angioarchitectural characteristics, including nidus size, location, Spetzler-Martin grade, venous drainage, and arterial or nidal aneurysm. Angioarchitecture variations across age groups were analyzed using uni- and multivariable models; then cohorts were pooled and analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox models to determine factors associated with earlier rupture.

RESULTS

Among 320 included patients, 122 children (mean age, 9.8 ± 3.8 years) and 198 adults (mean age, 43.3 ± 15.7 years) were analyzed. Pediatric brain AVMs were more frequently deeply located (56.3% versus 21.2%, < .001), with a larger nidus (24.2  versus 18.9 mm, = .002), were less frequently nidal (15.9% versus 23.5%, = .03) and arterial aneurysms (2.7% versus 17.9%, < .001), and had similar drainage patterns or Spetzler-Martin grades. In the fully adjusted Cox model, supratentorial, deep brain AVM locations (adjusted relative risk, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.01-1.41;  = .03 and adjusted relative risk, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.22-1.67;  < .001, respectively) and exclusively deep venous drainage (adjusted relative risk, 1.46, 95% CI, 1.21-1.76; < .001) were associated with earlier rupture, whereas arterial or nidal aneurysms were associated with rupture later in life.

CONCLUSIONS

The angioarchitecture of ruptured brain AVMs significantly varies across the life span. These distinct features may help to guide treatment decisions for patients with unruptured AVMs.