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Arteriovenous Malformations and Arteriovenous Fistulas

“I woke up in the hospital; I didn’t know what was going on”

Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs) are abnormal connections between your high-pressure arteries and low-pressure veins usually appearing as a tangle of many of these blood vessels. These tangles frequently develop in a developing fetus, or around the time of birth. In some cases, these malformations can be completely benign, and incidentally found while evaluating other problems. However, AVMs more commonly are found having caused bleeding in the brain, or compression of parts of the brain which resulted in weakness, numbness, vision loss, or the inability to speak.

Arterovenous Fistulas (AVFs) are similar to AVMs although usually involve a direct connection between arteries and a vein resulting in the same high pressure to low pressure shunt. These can be congenital (formed around birth), although often they either develop through life due to:

  • Tobacco Abuse (Cigar, Cigarettes, Vaping, and Dip)
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Drug Abuse (including Cocaine, Heroin / Opiates, PCP)
  • Severe Head Trauma
arterovenous malformations, AVMs

Treating a Bleeding AVM or AVF

If these abnormal connections have bled, the target of therapy is to disconnect the abnormal connection between vessels, or to occlude the abnormal, bleeding vessel. This can be done through an endovascular procedure – one performed inside the blood vessels using of special glue-like chemicals to block flow, or by using coiling to occlude the bleeding malformation. If the AVM/AVF cannot be fully treated from the inside, some malformations can be treated through a traditional neurosurgical procedure. In some cases, targeted gamma-knife therapy can be used to prevent the risk of bleeding.

The determination for which of these procedures is most appropriate will be made by your neurosurgeon based on the location, size, and shape of the malformation.

Treating Asymptomatic AVM or AVF

If a malformation has NOT bled, there are opportunities to evaluate the AVM/AVF and determine the safest strategy for treatment. Treatment will depend on many elements including the following:

  • Location of the AVM/AVF
  • Blood vessels involved
  • Size
  • Shape

Depending on these characteristics, a treatment plan will be custom tailored for you.

Such a plan will weigh the risks of the malformation compared to the inherent risks associated with any surgery. It also allows for preparations to be made to treat including ordering specialty equipment and pretreating any comorbid illness.

Compassionate Care for a Range of Neurological Conditions