Brain AVM

A cerebral AVM is a network of blood vessels that connect the arteries and veins of the brain. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the brain. Veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the lungs and heart. A brain AVM interrupts this vital process.

An arteriovenous malformation can develop anywhere in the body, but common locations are the brain and spinal cord, although whole-brain arteriovenous malformations are rare. The cause of brain AVMs is not clear. Most people are born with them, but they can form later in life. In rare cases, they can be passed down between families.

Some people with brain AVMs have signs and symptoms such as headaches or seizures. An AVM is often discovered after an exam of the brain to check for another medical condition or after a blood vessel has burst and caused bleeding (hemorrhage). Once diagnosed, brain AVM can be treated to prevent complications such as brain damage or stroke.