Arteriovenous malformation treatment

An arteriovenous malformation ( AVM ) — is a tangle of dilated blood vessels that connects arteries and veins in the wrong way, disrupting blood flow and oxygen circulation. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the brain and other organs. Veins carry oxygen-depleted blood back to the lungs and heart.
If this crucial process is disrupted in an AVM, surrounding tissues may not get enough oxygen. Also, because the tangled blood vessels in AVMs are not properly formed, they can weaken and rupture. When an AVM in the brain ruptures, brain hemorrhage, stroke, or brain damage can occur.
The cause of AVMs is unclear. In rare cases, they are hereditary, i.e. they are transmitted from generation to generation.
Once diagnosed, brain AVMs can often be successfully treated to prevent or reduce the risk of developing complications.

When to see a doctor

Seek medical attention at a domestic or foreign clinic if you have symptoms of AVM such as headache, dizziness, vision problems, seizures, changes in thinking or neurological function.

Many AVMs are found during testing for a different condition, often after a CT scan or an MRI is obtained for reasons not directly related to the AVM.