Zehair Ayub, from Bradford, is the first patient in the UK to receive a new treatment for a rare, life-threatening blood condition. Mr Ayub was diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in 2011, which can disrupt normal blood circulation and cause fatal bleeding.
His AVM was deep in his brain and had caused a large aneurysm, affecting his sight. After 15 years of unsuccessful treatments, Mr Ayub underwent four rounds of treatment with Leeds Teaching Hospitals' consultant Dr Fathallah Islim between September 2025 and May 2026.
The treatment, ihtObtura, is a liquid injected into affected blood vessels to close them. Dr Islim, who completed a fellowship at a German centre involved in the European trial of ihtObtura, stated that the treatment is often reserved for untreatable AVMs. Mr Ayub received special approval for its use as the trial was not taking place in the UK.
Following the treatment, Mr Ayub's AVM is fully closed, the aneurysm is gone, and his physical symptoms have significantly improved. He expressed hope that other patients will benefit from this treatment in the future.