WHAT IS AN ARTERIOVENOUS MALFORMATION?
An Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels where arteries connect directly to veins, bypassing the normal capillaries that deliver oxygen to tissues, often in the brain or spinal cord, creating a shortcut that can lead to tissue damage, higher pres-sure, and potential rupture (hemorrhage) causing stroke or neurological problems.
Common Symptoms (Especially Brain AVMs)
- Neurological: Headaches (often migraine-like), seizures, confusion, dizziness, trouble with speech or movement, numbness, pulsatile tinnitus (ear buzzing).
- Physical: Pain, swelling, warmth, visible pulsating veins, bleeding, ulcers, or developmental delays in children.
Risks & Complications
- Hemorrhage (Bleeding): The most serious risk, potentially causing stroke or severe neurological damage.
- Tissue Damage: Oxygen-rich blood bypasses tissues, or the AVM compresses brain/spinal tissue.
- Heart Strain: Large AVMs can force the heart to work harder, leading to heart failure in infants.
Diagnosis & Treatment
- Diagnosis: CT scans, MRIS, MRAS (angiography).
- Treatment Goals: Reduce bleeding risk, relieve symptoms, remove or block the AVM
- Interdisciplinary Care: Involves neurosurgeons, radiologists, and other specialists for
complex management.
Carotid Artery Disease (Carotid Artery Stenosis)
Carotid artery stenosis, also called carotid artery disease, is a condition that can lead to stroke. When you have carotid artery stenosis, a substance called plaque builds up and blocks the normal flow of blood in your artery. One treatment option for carotid artery stenosis is a surgical procedure call endarterectomy.