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Arteriovenous Malformations
Summary
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are defects in your vascular system. Your vascular system is your body’s network of blood vessels. It includes your:
- Arteries, which carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to your tissues and organs
- Veins, which carry the blood and waste products back to your heart
- Capillaries, which are tiny blood vessels that connect your small arteries to your small veins
An AVM is a snarled tangle of arteries and veins. They are connected to each other, with no capillaries. That interferes with the blood circulation in an organ.
AVMs can happen anywhere, but they are more common in the brain or spinal cord. Most people with brain or spinal cord AVMs have few, if any, major symptoms. Sometimes they can cause seizures or headaches.
AVMs are rare. The cause of AVMs is unknown, but they seem to develop during pregnancy or soon after birth. Doctors use imaging tests to detect them.
Medicines can help with the symptoms from AVMs. The greatest danger is hemorrhage. Treatment for AVMs can include surgery or focused radiation therapy. Because surgery can be risky, you and your doctor need to make a decision carefully.
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Specifics
- Arteriovenous Fistula Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Brain AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) Society of Interventional Radiology
Start Here
- Arteriovenous Malformation (AVMs) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- What Is an Arteriovenous Malformation? American Stroke Association
Children
- Arteriovenous Malformations (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
Genetics
- Capillary malformation-arteriovenous malformation syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Parkes Weber syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
Diagnosis and Tests
- Catheter Angiography Radiological Society of North America
- CT Angiography (CTA) Radiological Society of North America
- MR Angiography (MRA) Radiological Society of North America
- Ultrasound — Vascular Radiological Society of North America
Treatments and Therapies
- Catheter Embolization Radiological Society of North America
- Intracranial Vascular Treatments Radiological Society of North America
Patient Handouts
- Cerebral angiography Medical Encyclopedia
- Cerebral arteriovenous malformation Medical Encyclopedia
- Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome Medical Encyclopedia
- Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome Medical Encyclopedia
- Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula Medical Encyclopedia
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Arteriovenous Malformations National Institutes of Health
Related Issues
- Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) and Pulmonary Hypertension Pulmonary Hypertension Association
- Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Find an Expert
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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- Stereotactic radiosurgery – discharge Medical Encyclopedia