RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Provocative Test with Propofol: Experience in Patients with Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations Who Underwent Neuroendovascular Procedures JF American Journal of Neuroradiology JO Am. J. Neuroradiol. FD American Society of Neuroradiology SP 470 OP 475 DO 10.3174/ajnr.A1855 VO 31 IS 3 A1 C.E. Feliciano A1 R. de León-Berra A1 M.S. Hernández-Gaitán A1 H.M. Torres A1 O. Creagh A1 R. Rodríguez-Mercado YR 2010 UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/31/3/470.abstract AB BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Provocative testing before AVM embolization has been shown to be a predictor of a successful endovascular treatment without neurologic deficits. Propofol has been used previously as an alternative agent in Wada testing with adequate results. The purpose of this study was to show our experience with the use of propofol as a safe and effective alternative to barbiturate provocative testing in AVM embolization procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A series of 20 patients, undergoing 38 embolization sessions, was treated for cerebral AVMs between November 2007 and February 2009 by endovascular methods. All patients were treated under conscious sedation. Pre-embolization neurologic assessment was performed with provocative testing by using propofol at 7-mg doses by an intra-arterial route after microcathether placement in or near the AVM nidus. RESULTS: Among these 20 patients, 3 developed transient neurologic deficits after provocative testing, precluding initial or further embolization. One of the patients passing the provocative test developed slight paresis as a result of embolization with n-BCA, resulting in a PPV of 97%. CONCLUSIONS: Propofol use during provocative testing in AVM embolization procedures represents an effective alternative to barbiturate testing and can have a positive impact in improving safety under sedation. ACAanterior cerebral arteryACEacetylcholinesterase inhibitorAEDsantiepileptic drugsAPanteroposteriorAVMarteriovenous malformationBAbronchial asthmaBPHbenign prostatic hyperplasiaCADcoronary artery diseaseCNScentral nervous systemDMdiabetes mellitusHBPhigh blood pressureICHintracerebral hematomaIVHintraventricular hematomaMCAmiddle cerebral arteryn-BCAn-butyl cyanoacrylatePCAposterior cerebral arteryPPVpositive predictive valueSAHsubarachnoid hemorrhagesecssecondsS-MSpetzler-MartinTIAstransient ischemic attacks