Animal Models in Studying Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation

Figure 2

Anatomic basis and features of the swine AVM model. (a) Schematic representation of the normal left carotid arterial anatomy of the swine. The carotid rete mirabile is situated at the termination of the APA. ICA: internal carotid artery; ECA: external carotid artery; CCA: common carotid artery; IMA: internal maxillary artery; MMA: middle meningeal artery supplying the ramus anastomoticus; RA: ramus anastomoticus; AA: arteria anastomotica; APA: ascending pharyngeal artery; OA: occipital artery; BA: basilar artery; CW: circle of Willis; EJV: external jugular vein. (b) Schematic representation of the AVM model after creation of a right carotid-jugular fistula. Arrows indicate direction of flow, that is, from the left CCA to both retia mirabilia via the three feeding arteries (the left APA, RA, and AA), and retrograde down the right APA toward the right carotid-jugular fistula. Note balloon occlusion of the right ECA.

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