What is an AVM in the brain and what problems can it cause?

An AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation) is a tangle of abnormal blood vessels connecting arteries and veins in the brain (or spinal cord). It’s usually something people are born with (congenital), and over time it can cause trouble. An AVM creates a direct connection between arteries and veins, which can put a lot of pressure on those vessels. The biggest risk with an AVM is bleeding – if one of those vessels ruptures, it can cause a brain hemorrhage (bleed), similar to an aneurysm rupture. About half of brain AVMs are discovered only after they bleed. Besides bleeding, an AVM can also cause seizures, headaches, or neurological symptoms (like weakness or vision problems), because it can disrupt normal blood flow or press on brain tissue. Although AVMs are not cancer, they are serious because a rupture can lead to stroke, brain damage, or even death. The good news: AVMs can be treated to significantly reduce or eliminate these risks. Each AVM is unique in size and location, so treatment is individualized (it could be surgery, radiation, or other methods, as we’ll discuss next). Without treatment, there is a yearly risk of bleeding; with expert care, we aim to remove or obliterate the AVM and protect you from a potentially life-threatening hemorrhage