# DAVF. It’s growing and I’m really scared **URL:** \ **Category:** Brain DAVF\ **Tags:** symptoms\ **Created:** [March 18, 2024, 6:01pm UTC](https://avmsurvivors.org/t/davf-it-s-growing-and-i-m-really-scared/29579 "2024-03-18T18:01:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 2
**Author:** ![Aivilo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@Aivilo](https://avmsurvivors.org/u/Aivilo)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2024, 7:54pm UTC](https://avmsurvivors.org/t/davf-it-s-growing-and-i-m-really-scared/29579/2 "2024-03-18T19:54:43Z")
I had a large DAVF (one of the biggest my doctors has ever seen) near my left carotid artery. My DSVF was repaired with a combination of 40 coils + 5 stents, and then 1 wall stent in the left internal carotid artery. Total operating time was 6 hours. I spent 1 day in ICU and a half day in a regular hospital room. Overhaul though it took a total of 2 procedures to fix the DAVF, the 2nd procedure was about 2 hours. The reason why my surgeon did it in 2 procedures is because he didn’t want to be too aggressive and cause more damage than good. So we took baby steps, knowing very well that it could have even been 3 procedures. Feel free to read my journey here: > [@Newbie and recently diagnosed with DAVF](https://avmsurvivors.org/t/newbie-and-recently-diagnosed-with-davf/25354): > > Hi to all out there! I was recently diagnosed with a left carotid artery DAVF (arteriovenous fistula). My only symptom started a little over a year ago in Oct 2019, when I developed pulsatile tinnitus. Long story on how I got here, but the diagnosis was actually a relief. A relief in that I was finally able to find out why I started having tinnitus in my left ear, when I was an otherwise healthy individual. My next step recommend by my neurosurgeon here in town is to treat the fistula with … I am located in the USA and went to Mount Sinai in New York. How many surgeons have you gone to for an opinion on your current health situation? I went to multiple surgeons until I find the best of the best. From what I know, DAVFs are very rare and you should make sure your surgeon is very qualified in this area. Let me know if you have any questions. Wishing you the best! Aivilo --- _[View the full topic](https://avmsurvivors.org/t/davf-it-s-growing-and-i-m-really-scared/29579)._