Arteriellvenös

Arteriellvenös refers to a connection or relationship between an artery and a vein. This term is often used in medicine to describe an arteriovenous fistula, which is an abnormal connection between an artery and a vein. Normally, arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart under high pressure, while veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart under lower pressure. A fistula disrupts this normal flow by allowing blood to bypass the capillaries, which are the tiny blood vessels where oxygen and nutrient exchange with tissues occurs.

Arteriovenous fistulas can be congenital, meaning they are present at birth, or they can be acquired due to injury, surgery, or certain medical conditions. Acquired fistulas are more common. Symptoms of an arteriovenous fistula can vary depending on its size and location. They may include a palpable thrill, which is a vibrating sensation over the fistula, and a bruit, which is a humming sound heard with a stethoscope. In some cases, symptoms can include swelling, pain, changes in skin color, or even heart failure if the fistula causes a significant increase in blood flow that the heart cannot compensate for.

Diagnosis typically involves physical examination and imaging studies such as Doppler ultrasound, CT angiography, or MRI angiography. Treatment depends on the type, size, and location of the fistula, as well as the patient's symptoms. Options range from observation for small, asymptomatic fistulas to surgical repair or endovascular occlusion for larger or symptomatic ones.