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Active, not recruitingNCT04434729Updated Jan 6, 2026Results posted

Fetal Treatment of Galenic Malformations

An interventional study of Fetal embolization of vein of Galen malformation using Target XL and XXL Detachable Coils in Vein of Galen Malformations, sponsored by Darren Orbach. Active, not recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to female participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-01-06.

Sponsored by Darren Orbach · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
7
Allocation
Not applicable
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
Female
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Study summary

This is a prospective, single-arm non-randomized interventional study of fetuses to assess the safety and efficacy of fetal embolization of Vein of Galen Malformation (VOGM). Subjects will receive a one-time study intervention of fetal embolization. Follow-up assessments will be collected every 4 weeks until delivery, as per standard of care. After delivery, neurological assessments will be performed every 6 months for 2 years (adjusted for gestational age). Data will be compared to historical cohorts.

Read the detailed description

The study involves a single fetal intervention of maternal transuterine, fetal transcranial torcular puncture and median prosencephalic vein embolization. Detachable platinum coils (Target XL and XXL Detachable Coil, Stryker Neurovascular) will be used to pack the prosencephalic varix. This procedure will take place in an obstetric OR at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Data will be collected every 4 weeks post-procedure until delivery, as per standard of care. Data regarding delivery and post-delivery status will also be collected until the subject is discharged from the hospital. After delivery, neurological assessments will be performed every 6 months for 2 years (adjusted for gestational age). Data will be compared to historical cohorts.

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Conditions studied

  • Vein of Galen Malformations
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In context

Lead sponsor

Darren Orbach is the lead sponsor of 2 studies on the registry; 1 is open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

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Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
Female
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Pregnant woman carrying a fetus harboring a vein of Galen malformation in whom the straight sinus or falcine sinus draining the prosencephalic varix measures 7 mm or more on fetal MRI (medio-lateral diameter measured at the narrowest point of the sinus along the rostral-caudal axis, assessed on a T2-weighted coronal slice).
  • Fetal gestational age between 23 weeks and term as determined by clinical information and evaluation of first ultrasound.
  • Anatomic diagnosis of fetal vein of Galen malformation.
  • Well preserved brain parenchyma.
  • Maternal age of 18 years and older.
  • Eligible for continuous lumbar epidural anesthesia.
  • Able to travel to study site for study evaluation, procedures and visits.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Extensive fetal brain parenchymal injury/gliosis, >10% of supratentorial brain volume (i.e., SFP presentation). This is a degree of fetal brain injury beyond which the risk of significant neurological morbidity is high, based on studies of prenatal ischemic stroke.
  • Irreversible fetal non-brain organ injury (e.g. hydrops fetalis as a manifestation of heart failure, a finding which portends fatal outcome in fetuses with vein of Galen malformation), i.e., SFP presentation.
  • Fetus with VOGM in whom the straight sinus or falcine sinus draining the prosencephalic varix measures less than 7 mm on fetal MRI (T2-weighted coronal slice, medio-lateral diameter measured at the narrowest point of the sinus along the anterior-posterior axis), fitting fetal MRI criteria for likely evolution into the IT cohort.
  • Severe maternal obesity pre-pregnancy as defined by body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater.
  • Fetuses with major congenital anomalies.
  • Evidence of preterm labor, rupture of membranes or abruption.
  • Maternal coagulopathy: INR > 1.2; PT/PTT above normal ranges for the lab; platelets \<100.
  • Medical disease requiring current anticoagulation including maternal deep vein thrombosis.
  • Prior maternal medical history that would preclude epidural anesthesia.
  • Multi-fetal pregnancy.
  • Placenta previa or accreta.
  • Participation in another fetal study that influences maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.
  • Known maternal hypersensitivity to 316LM stainless steel.
  • Supine hypotensive syndrome.
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Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
7 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Fetal embolization of vein of Galen malformation

    This is a single-arm study. Fetal subjects will undergo a one-time intervention of fetal embolization of vein of Galen malformation.

    Device: Fetal embolization of vein of Galen malformation using Target XL and XXL Detachable Coils

Interventions

  • DeviceFetal embolization of vein of Galen malformation using Target XL and XXL Detachable Coils

    The study involves a single fetal intervention of maternal transuterine, fetal transcranial torcular puncture and median prosencephalic vein embolization. Detachable platinum coils (Target XL and XXL Detachable Coil, Stryker Neurovascular) will be used to pack the prosencephalic varix.

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What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Prenatal Safety of Fetal Embolization for Patients With Vein of Galen Malformations

    The procedure is deemed safe if 1. None of the following unacceptable events occur within 7 days of fetal embolization: 1. Fetal death 2. Fetal intracranial hemorrhage, either parenchymal or extra-axial, other than petechial hemorrhage. 3. Maternal death 2. None of the following unacceptable events occur between fetal embolization and delivery: 1. Intra-procedural and post-procedural morbidity to the fetus and mother, probably related to the fetal intervention, e.g. placental abruption with subsequent sequelae 2. Preterm delivery \< 28 weeks, probably related to the fetal intervention 3. Maternal blood transfusion or unanticipated surgical intervention, probably related to the fetal intervention 4. Presence of fetal imaging evidence of new brain injury in a location or pattern unexpected for the natural history of vein of Galen malformation, probably related to the fetal intervention

    Time frame: From fetal embolization to delivery

Secondary outcomes

  1. Efficacy of Fetal Embolization for Patients With Vein of Galen Malformations

    The procedure is deemed efficacious if none of the following serious postnatal events occur within 30 days of birth: 1. Urgent neonatal embolization is needed. Without fetal intervention, we'd expect 80% of the cohort to require such intervention. 2. Neonatal death. Without fetal intervention, we'd expect a mortality rate of 40% in this cohort. 3. Brain MRI within the first three weeks after birth reveals parenchymal brain injury (acute infarct or gliosis) affecting \> 10% of the supratentorial brain volume. Without fetal intervention, we'd expect 30% of patients in this cohort to show this kind of injury.

    Time frame: Within 30 days of birth

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Results

Posted Jan 6, 2026

Participant flow

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneFetal Embolization of Vein of Galen Malformation
Started7
Completed5
Not completed2
Withdrew: Adverse event1
Withdrew: Physician decision1

Outcome measures

PrimaryPrenatal Safety of Fetal Embolization for Patients With Vein of Galen Malformations

The procedure is deemed safe if 1. None of the following unacceptable events occur within 7 days of fetal embolization: 1. Fetal death 2. Fetal intracranial hemorrhage, either parenchymal or extra-axial, other than petechial hemorrhage. 3. Maternal death 2. None of the following unacceptable events occur between fetal embolization and delivery: 1. Intra-procedural and post-procedural morbidity to the fetus and mother, probably related to the fetal intervention, e.g. placental abruption with subsequent sequelae 2. Preterm delivery \< 28 weeks, probably related to the fetal intervention 3. Maternal blood transfusion or unanticipated surgical intervention, probably related to the fetal intervention 4. Presence of fetal imaging evidence of new brain injury in a location or pattern unexpected for the natural history of vein of Galen malformation, probably related to the fetal intervention

Time frame:
From fetal embolization to delivery
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Prenatal Safety of Fetal Embolization for Patients With Vein of Galen Malformations
ParticipantsFetal embolization of vein of Galen malformation
Prenatal Safety of Fetal Embolization for Patients With Vein of Galen Malformations5
SecondaryEfficacy of Fetal Embolization for Patients With Vein of Galen Malformations

The procedure is deemed efficacious if none of the following serious postnatal events occur within 30 days of birth: 1. Urgent neonatal embolization is needed. Without fetal intervention, we'd expect 80% of the cohort to require such intervention. 2. Neonatal death. Without fetal intervention, we'd expect a mortality rate of 40% in this cohort. 3. Brain MRI within the first three weeks after birth reveals parenchymal brain injury (acute infarct or gliosis) affecting \> 10% of the supratentorial brain volume. Without fetal intervention, we'd expect 30% of patients in this cohort to show this kind of injury.

Time frame:
Within 30 days of birth
Reported as:
Count of participants · Participants
Efficacy of Fetal Embolization for Patients With Vein of Galen Malformations
ParticipantsFetal embolization of vein of Galen malformation
Efficacy of Fetal Embolization for Patients With Vein of Galen Malformations2

Adverse events

Collected over Adverse events were collected from the time of enrollment through 2 years post-delivery.. Non-serious events are listed at a 5% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Fetal Embolization of Vein of Galen Malformation3/7 (42.9%)2/7 (28.6%)2/7 (28.6%)
Most frequent serious events
Most frequent serious events
EventFetal Embolization of Vein of Galen Malformation
Sinus tachycardia, hypotensionCardiac disorders1/7
Complete chorion-amnion separationPregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions1/7
Most frequent other events
Most frequent other events
EventFetal Embolization of Vein of Galen Malformation
Premature rupture of membranesPregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions1/7
Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM)Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions1/7

Baseline characteristics

Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(years)Fetal Embolization of Vein of Galen Malformation
Mean32.4 (22 to 36)
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Fetal Embolization of Vein of Galen Malformation
Female3
Male4
Race (NIH/OMB)
Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants)Fetal Embolization of Vein of Galen Malformation
American Indian or Alaska Native0
Asian0
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander0
Black or African American1
White3
More than one race1
Unknown or Not Reported2
08

Study locations

1 site
  • Boston Children's Hospital
    Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
09

References and documents

Publications

  • Orbach DB, Shamshirsaz AA, Wilkins-Haug L, Guseh S, Krispin E, Tworetzky W, O'Leary B, Larson AM, Rangwala SD, Oushy S, See AP. In Utero Embolization for Fetal Vein of Galen Malformation. JAMA. 2025 Sep 9;334(10):878-885. doi: 10.1001/jama.2025.12363. PubMed 40788723 ↗
  • Orbach DB, Wilkins-Haug LE, Benson CB, Tworetzky W, Rangwala SD, Guseh SH, Gately NK, Stout JN, Mizrahi-Arnaud A, See AP. Transuterine Ultrasound-Guided Fetal Embolization of Vein of Galen Malformation, Eliminating Postnatal Pathophysiology. Stroke. 2023 Jun;54(6):e231-e232. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.123.043421. Epub 2023 May 4. No abstract available. PubMed 37139817 ↗
  • See AP, Wilkins-Haug LE, Benson CB, Tworetzky W, Orbach DB. Percutaneous transuterine fetal cerebral embolisation to treat vein of Galen malformations at risk of urgent neonatal decompensation: study protocol for a clinical trial of safety and feasibility. BMJ Open. 2022 May 24;12(5):e058147. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058147. PubMed 35613814 ↗

Study documents

  • Protocol and statistical analysis plan · Dec 11, 2023

Documents are hosted by the registry — open the source record to download them.

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

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Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jan 6, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04434729
Lead sponsor
Darren Orbach
Responsible party
Darren Orbach (Chief, Neurointerventional Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital) — Sponsor-investigator
First posted
Jun 17, 2020
Start date
Sep 30, 2022
Primary completion
Sep 6, 2024
Completion
Aug 2026 (estimated)
Results posted
Jan 6, 2026
Last update
Jan 6, 2026

Study contacts

Darren Orbach, MD PhD
principal investigator · Boston Children's Hospital

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is active, not recruiting, as verified in Dec 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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