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Arteriovenous malformation (AVM)
An abnormal connection or passageway between an artery and vein where the blood bypasses your capillaries. AVM's can occur anywhere in the body.
What is AVM?
An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a term used to describe a complex tangle of blood vessels in your brain, where there are abnormal connections between your arteries and veins. They are almost always present at birth and arise either during very early pregnancy or as part of an inherited condition. It is believed they often occur because of a problem in blood vessel formation in the foetus during pregnancy.
An AVM can interfere with normal blood circulation, and dependent on their location can cause severe problems if they bleed. In these cases it is likely surgery will be required to remove them.
Need to know
AVM’s are often visible if they occur near the skin, as the skin will become discoloured. They will likely cause swelling and you will see blood vessels very close to the surface of the skin.
Other AVM symptoms may include:
- Balance problems
- Bleeding
- Blurred vision or loss of vision
- Confusion
- Heart problems
- Headache
- Numbness and or weakness on one side of the body
- Speech problems such as muddled words or slurred speech
- Ulcer
It’s important to note that AVMs do not shrink over time, and so if you experience symptoms you should contact your GP or consultant as soon as possible.
They most suitable type of treatment for AVM will depend on its size, location and how restricted the blood flow is in this area, as well as if other health factors are involved. The most likely options and the reasoning for each are as follows:
- Embolisation. This aims to block the artery supplying the arteriovenous malformation to reduce blood flow. This may be done prior to surgery with the aim of reducing bleeding during the operation or sometimes as a curative treatment in itself.
- Gamma Knife. A type of radiation treatment, which has become the treatment of choice for many patients with arteriovenous malformations.
- Surgery. This is to remove the arteriovenous malformation from your healthy surrounding brain tissue.
Our Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) locations
London Neurosurgery Partnership
78 Harley Street W1G 7HJ London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
The Cardiac Clinic
London Bridge Hospital SE1 2PR London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David's gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.