Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)

Also known as: AVMs

What are arteriovenous malformations?

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are defects of the circulatory system that are thought to arise during embryonic or fetal development or soon after birth.They are composed of tangled arteries and veins. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the body's cells; veins return oxygen-depleted blood to the lungs and heart. The presence of an AVM disrupts this vital cyclical process. Although AVMs can develop in many different sites including the skin, those located in the brain or spinal cord-the two parts of the central nervous system can have especially widespread effects on the body.

What are the signs and symptoms of arteriovenous malformations?

There are very few symptoms associated with AVM. Most common symptoms are headaches and seizures. AVM’s can also cause some neurological symptoms which include:

  • dizziness
  • muscle weakness,
  • loss of coordination (ataxia), carrying out tasks
  • trouble understanding language
  • numbness
  • tingling
  • spontaneous pain

What are arteriovenous malformations care options?

AVMs can be detected through a CT scan or an MRI. AVM  treatment is challenging, however some are amenable to surgery and interventional radiology.

The International Birthmark Institute (TIBI)

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Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia is a disease in which some blood vessels develop abnormally into telangiectasia and/or where some little arteries drain directly into veins called arteriovenous malformations.

Vein of Galen Malformations

During early fetal development the barrier between the very small arteries and the veins that normally slows the blood flow down, are missing, causing the blood to flow faster between artery and vein. This can result in the vein of Galen bulging.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Bleeding into the brain (also known as an intracerebral hemorrhage) occurs after either a clot forms in a vessel carrying blood to it or a brain blood vessel breaks because of an abnormality or disease of the blood vessel.

Cobb Syndrome

​Cobb syndrome is a rare, non-inherited disorder characterized by visible skin lesions with underlying spinal angiomas or arteriovenous malformations (AVM).