The ARUBA Trial[^1] (A Randomised trial of Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous malformations) was an important and frequently cited study on arteriovenous malformations. The main finding of the study was that conservative management of AVMs is superior to interventional treatment. However, a common criticism of the study is that AVMs that had not been completely obliterated were also included.
Authors' interpretation
The ARUBA trial showed that medical management alone is superior to medical management with interventional therapy for the prevention of death or stroke in patients with unruptured brain arteriovenous malformations followed up for 33 months. The trial is continuing its observational phase to establish whether the disparities will persist over an additional 5 years of follow-up.[^1]
Criticism
The conduct and interpretation of the ARUBA study were criticized by many parties[^2].