Improved materials to block and treat arteriovenous malformations
Biomaterials for embolization and ablation of arterio-venous malformations
This project develops new materials doctors could use to block and destroy dangerous artery‑to‑vein tangles (AVMs) for people who cannot have surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Scottsdale, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126643 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are creating biomaterials that can be delivered through blood vessels to the tangled AVM nidus and either permanently block blood flow or be combined with ablation to destroy the lesion. In lab tests and animal models they will study how well the materials stay in place, stop bleeding, and interact with surrounding tissues. The team aims to improve control and safety compared with existing liquid embolics that can be hard to direct and are often used off‑label. If these materials perform well preclinically, the next steps would be testing at specialized centers and possible clinical trials for patients with high‑risk or inoperable AVMs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with symptomatic, bleeding, or surgically untreatable arteriovenous malformations would be the most likely candidates for future clinical use.
Not a fit: Patients without AVMs or those whose AVMs are small and safely removable with standard surgery or observation are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could provide a safer, more effective non‑surgical option that seals or destroys AVMs and lowers the risk of catastrophic bleeding.
How similar studies have performed: Current FDA‑approved liquid embolics like Onyx and Trufill are used pre‑surgically or off‑label with limitations in control and durability, so this biomaterials approach is a newer direction building on prior embolization techniques.
Where this research is happening
Scottsdale, United States
- Mayo Clinic Arizona — Scottsdale, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oklu, Rahmi — Mayo Clinic Arizona
- Study coordinator: Oklu, Rahmi
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.