When your blood vessels get all tangled up, it can cause a whole mess of problems.
The tangle is called an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), and it’s a rare condition you’re born with (congenital). It happens when your arteries and veins connect in the wrong way, creating a tangled knot of blood vessels that disrupts blood flow. AVMs can show up anywhere in your body, but they’re most often found in your brain, brainstem or spinal cord. When left untreated, these tangles can lead to serious complications, including bleeding or seizures.
At Cleveland Clinic, our expert team uses the latest tests and treatments to diagnose and manage AVMs. This helps reduce risks and protect your long-term health.
Our specialists include cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgeons, interventional neurologists, interventional neuroradiologists and neurologic radiation oncologists — all board-certified and fellowship-trained in cerebrovascular care. We combine our insights to create a personalized care plan for you. Meet our team.
We use advanced technology like 7-Tesla (7T) MRI, high-resolution angiography with 4D resolution and 3D printing to create precise views and models of your brain’s vascular system. These detailed pictures help us customize your treatment plan.
Your treatment begins with a conversation. Our specialists take the time to understand you and carefully explain all available options to develop a care plan tailored to your needs. Building a strong partnership with you is at the heart of everything we do in AVM care.
Providing convenient care is a priority for us. Whenever possible, we offer virtual visits, so you can connect with your team from the comfort of home without the need for travel or an in-person appointment.
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Many people don’t have symptoms at first, and an AVM is often discovered during a scan for something else — like headaches, seizures, vision changes or a head injury.
If you have an AVM, it’s very important to get evaluated and treated right away. If an AVM ruptures (bursts), it can lead to bleeding in your brain (hemorrhage). When this happens, it can cause serious complications affecting your nervous system, including paralysis or coma.
To get a clear picture of your AVM’s size and location, your care team may recommend these tests:
Our specialists work as a team to provide you with the most comprehensive, high-quality care. Along with your doctor or provider, you may also work with:
Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Ohio and Florida.
Our cerebrovascular experts use a range of therapies to treat arteriovenous malformations. Depending on your specific needs, we might recommend one or a combination of treatments, including:
Sometimes, open surgery is needed to get rid of the AVM. If so, Cleveland Clinic neurosurgeons will do a craniotomy. They’ll make an opening in your skull to get to the problem blood vessels and remove them. This redirects blood flow to the healthy vessels before they close your skull and scalp.
Our neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists and therapists are proficient in Gamma Knife radiosurgery, widely recognized as a gold standard in care. This precise, minimally invasive treatment uses targeted radiation to destroy or stop the growth of AVMs while protecting the surrounding healthy brain tissue. The procedure effectively eliminates the risk of rupture and hemorrhage (bleeding) associated with an AVM.
We may also use a minimally invasive endovascular technique called embolization to help treat some arteriovenous malformations. Our specialists insert a thin, flexible tube (catheter) into the small blood vessels that feed the AVM. Then, we inject a glue-like substance to prevent blood from reaching the area, reducing the size of the AVM. This is typically an adjunct to open surgery or Gamma Knife radiosurgery. You may need several rounds of embolization to treat the AVM. You may also have embolization before brain surgery to make the AVM smaller.
The cerebrovascular providers at Cleveland Clinic treat ruptured and bleeding arteriovenous malformations precisely and quickly to give you the best chance of recovery. Our stroke rehabilitation services help you recover lost function, so you can stay independent.
Arteriovenous malformations are complex and potentially dangerous. If you’re diagnosed with an AVM, it’s crucial to get treated as soon as possible to reduce the risk of complications. At Cleveland Clinic, our cerebrovascular team specializes in diagnosing and treating AVMs. You can count on them to provide expert, compassionate care tailored to your needs, helping you achieve the best possible outcome.
Getting an appointment with Cleveland Clinic arteriovenous malformation experts is easy. We’re here to help you get the care you need.
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