Intraoperative Evaluation of Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Obliteration Using FLOW 800 Hemodynamic Analysis

Operative Neurosurgery 30:250–259, 2026

This clinical study evaluates intraoperative indocyanine green videoangiography with FLOW 800 software to quantify hemodynamic changes during cranial and spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) microsurgical obliteration. Using four FLOW 800 metrics across venous regions of interest, the authors compare pre- and post-obliteration measurements confirmed by intraoperative digital subtraction angiography.

Key findings identify increased Delay Time and decreased Speed as consistent, significant markers of successful dAVF obliteration, supported by nonparametric tests, logistic and Bayesian regression, and PCA visualization. The study suggests FLOW 800 as a practical adjunct to intraoperative imaging, while acknowledging limitations from small sample size and ROI selection variability.

Key Hemodynamic Parameters: Intraoperative FLOW 800 analysis of indocyanine green videoangiography quantifies four hemodynamic parameters—Delay Time, Speed, Time to Peak, and Rise Time—across venous drainage regions before and after dAVF (dural arteriovenous fistula) obliteration.

Most Sensitive Indicators: Delay Time (time for dye to reach ROI) and Speed (rate of dye flow) are the most sensitive and consistent hemodynamic indicators of successful dAVF obliteration, with Delay Time increasing and Speed decreasing significantly post-obliteration.

Statistical Significance: Delay Time increased from a median of 2.07s to 7.86s (P = .020), and Speed decreased from 13.5 s⁻¹ to 5.5 s⁻¹ (P = .029), both changes being statistically significant; Time to Peak and Rise Time showed no significant association.

Predictive Value: A 50% increase in Delay Time is associated with 2.16 times higher odds of achieving obliteration (OR = 4.59), while a 50% decrease in Speed is associated with 1.28 times higher odds; Delay Time and Speed are the strongest predictors in regression analyses.

Clinical Utility: FLOW 800 provides real-time, semiquantitative intraoperative feedback, supporting its use as a noninvasive adjunct to traditional imaging (like intraoperative DSA) for confirming dAVF obliteration, especially where DSA is unavailable.

Study Limitations: The study is limited by small sample size (8 patients, 14 ROIs), single-center design, and possible variability in ROI selection; findings require validation in larger, multicenter studies.

Practical Considerations: Complete visualization of venous outflow is necessary for FLOW 800 utility; current evidence supports its use as a complementary tool rather than a replacement for DSA.

Clinical Outcome: All patients in the study had successful dAVF obliteration confirmed by intraoperative DSA, no complications or recurrences at median 19.4 months follow-up, and FLOW 800 changes were consistent with successful surgical outcomes.

Enhanced analysis of intracerebral arteriovenous malformations by the intraoperative use of analytical indocyanine green videoangiography: technical note

Acta Neurochir (2011) 153:2181–2187. DOI 10.1007/s00701-011-1141-z

In cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) detailed intraoperative identification of feeding arteries, nidal vessels and draining veins is crucial for surgery.

Intraoperative imaging techniques like indocyanine green videoangiography (ICG-VAG) provide information about vessel architecture and patency, but do not allow time-dependent analysis of intravascular blood flow.

Here we report on our first experiences with analytical indocyanine green videoangiography (aICG-VAG) using FLOW 800 software as a useful tool for assessing the time-dependent intraoperative blood flow during surgical removal of cerebral AVMs. Microscope-integrated colour-encoded aICG-VAG was used for the surgical treatment of a 38-year-old woman diagnosed with an incidental AVM, Spetzler Martin grade I, of the left frontal lobe and of a 26-year-old man suffering from seizures caused by a symptomatic AVM, Spetzler Martin grade III, of the right temporal lobe. Analytical ICG-VAG visualization was intraoperatively correlated with in situ micro-Doppler investigation, as well as preoperative and postoperative digital subtraction angiography (DSA).

Analytical ICG-VAG is fast, easy to handle and integrates intuitively into surgical procedures. It allows colour-encoded visualization of blood flow distribution with high temporal and spatial resolution. Superficial major and minor feeding arteries can be clearly separated from the nidus and draining veins. Effects of stepwise vessel obliteration on velocity and direction of AVM blood flow can be objectified. High quality of visualization, however, is limited to the site of surgery. Colour-encoded aICG-VAG with FLOW 800 enables intraoperative real-time analysis of arterial and venous vessel architecture and might, therefore, increase efficacy and safety of neurovascular surgery in a selected subset of superficial AVMs.