Arteriovenous malformation

Date Updated: 01/01/2021

Overview

An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels connecting arteries and veins, which disrupts normal blood flow and oxygen circulation.

Arteries are responsible for taking oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the brain. Veins carry the oxygen-depleted blood back to the lungs and heart.

When an AVM disrupts this critical process, the surrounding tissues may not get enough oxygen. Also, because the tangled blood vessels that form the AVM are abnormal, they can weaken and rupture. If the AVM is in the brain and ruptures, it can cause bleeding in the brain (hemorrhage), stroke or brain damage.

The cause of AVMs is not clear. They're rarely passed down among families.

Once diagnosed, a brain AVM can often be treated successfully to prevent or reduce the risk of complications.

Symptoms

Symptoms of AVM vary based on where it's located. Often the first signs and symptoms appear after bleeding occurs. Besides bleeding, signs and symptoms can include:

Progressive loss of neurological function
Headaches
Nausea and vomiting
Seizures
Loss of consciousness

Other possible signs and symptoms include:

Weak muscles
Paralysis in one part of the body
Loss of coordination that can cause problems with gait
Problems performing tasks that require planning
Weakness in the lower extremities
Back pain
Dizziness
Vision problems, including losing part of your field of vision, loss of control of eye movements, or swelling of part of the optic nerve
Problems with speech or understanding language
Unusual sensations including numbness, tingling or sudden pain
Memory loss or dementia
Hallucinations
Confusion

Children and teens may have trouble with learning or behavior.

One type of AVM called a vein of Galen defect causes symptoms that appear at or shortly after birth. A vein of Galen defect is located deep inside the brain. Signs can include:

A buildup of fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus) that causes enlargement of the head
Swollen veins on the scalp
Seizures
Failure to thrive
Congestive heart failure

When to see a doctor

Seek medical attention if you have any of the signs and symptoms of an AVM, such as headaches, dizziness, vision problems, seizures and changes in thinking or neurological function. Many AVMs are currently discovered incidentally, often after a CT scan or an MRI is obtained for reasons not directly related to the AVM.

Causes

AVMs result from development of abnormal direct connections between arteries and veins, but experts don't understand why this happens. Certain genetic changes might play a role, but most types are not usually inherited.

Risk factors

Rarely, having a family history of AVMs can increase your risk. But most types of AVMs aren't inherited.

Certain hereditary conditions may increase your risk of AVM. These include hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), also called Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome.

Complications

The most common complications of an AVM are bleeding and seizures. If left untreated, the bleeding can cause significant neurological damage and be fatal.

Diagnosis

To diagnose an AVM, your doctor will review your symptoms and perform a physical examination.

He or she may listen for a sound called bruit. Bruit is a whooshing sound caused by very rapid blood flow through the arteries and veins of an AVM. It sounds like water rushing through a narrow pipe. Bruit may interfere with hearing or sleep or cause emotional distress.

Tests commonly used to help diagnose AVM include:

Cerebral angiography. Also called arteriography, this test uses a special dye called a contrast agent injected into an artery. The dye highlights the structure of blood vessels to better show them on X-rays.
Computerized tomography (CT). CT scans use X-rays to create images of the head, brain or spinal cord and can help show bleeding.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to show detailed images of the tissues. An MRI can pick up on small changes in these tissues.
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). An MRA captures the pattern and the speed and distance of blood flow through the vascular abnormalities.

Treatment

Treatment for AVM depends on where the abnormality is found, your signs and symptoms and your overall health, and the risk of treatment. Sometimes, an AVM is monitored with regular imaging tests to watch for changes or problems. Other AVMs require treatment. Determining whether an AVM needs treatment involves factors including whether the AVM:

Has bled
Is causing symptoms other than bleeding
Is in a part of the brain that treatment can be safely given

Medications

Medications can help manage symptoms such as seizures, headaches and back pain.

Surgery

The main treatment for AVM is surgery. Your doctor might recommend surgery if you're at a high risk of bleeding. The surgery might completely remove the AVM. This treatment is usually used when the AVM is in an area where surgeons can remove the AVM with little risk of causing significant damage to the brain tissues.

Endovascular embolization is a type of surgery in which the surgeon threads a catheter through the arteries to the AVM. Then a substance is injected to close parts of the AVM to reduce the blood flow. This might also be done before brain surgery or radiosurgery to help reduce the risk of complications.

Sometimes stereotactic radiosurgery is used to treat AVMs. This uses intense, highly focused beams of radiation to damage the blood vessels and stop the blood supply to the AVM.

You and your doctors will discuss whether to treat your AVM, weighing the possible benefits against the risks.

Follow-up

After treatment for an AVM, you might need regular follow-up visits with your doctor. You might need more imaging tests to make sure that the AVM is resolved and that the malformation has not recurred. You'll also need regular imaging tests and follow-up visits with your doctor if your AVM is being monitored.

Coping and support

Learning that you have an AVM can be frightening. It can make you feel like you have little control over your health. But you can take steps to cope with the emotions that accompany your diagnosis and recovery. Consider:

Learning enough about AVM to make informed decisions about your care. Ask your doctor about the size and location of your AVM, and what that means for your treatment options.
Accept your emotions. Complications of AVM, such as hemorrhage and stroke, can cause emotional problems as well as physical ones. Coming to terms with the diagnosis might help.
Keep friends and family close. Friends and family can provide the practical support you'll need, such as accompanying you to doctors' appointments, and serve as emotional support.
Find someone to talk with. Talking to a friend or family member, a counselor, medical social worker, clergy member, or support group about your hopes and fears can be helpful. Ask your doctor about support groups in your area. Or check your phone book, library or a national organization, such as the American Stroke Association or The Aneurysm and AVM Foundation.

An AVM might be diagnosed in an emergency situation, immediately after bleeding (hemorrhage) or a seizure has occurred. It can also be detected after other symptoms prompt imaging scans.

But in some cases, an AVM is found during diagnosis or treatment of an unrelated medical condition. You may then be referred to a doctor trained in brain and nervous system conditions (neurologist, interventional neuroradiologist or neurosurgeon).

Because there's often a lot to discuss, it's a good idea to arrive well-prepared for your appointment. Here are some tips to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.

Preparing for an appointment

What you can do

Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance.
Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
Make a list of all medications, vitamins and supplements you're taking, including dosages.
Ask a family member or friend to come with you, if possible. Someone who accompanies you might help you remember the information you're given.
Write down questions to ask your doctor. Don't be afraid to ask questions that may come up during your appointment.

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time together. For AVM, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

What are other possible causes for my symptoms?
What tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis?
What are my treatment options and the pros and cons for each?
What results can I expect?
What kind of follow-up should I expect?

What to expect from your doctor

Your neurologist is likely to ask about your symptoms, if any, conduct a physical examination and schedule tests to confirm the diagnosis.

The tests gather information about the size and location of the AVM to help direct your treatment options. He or she may ask:

When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
How severe are your symptoms?
What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?