arteriovenózní

Arteriovenózní refers to a connection between an artery and a vein. Normally, arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart, and veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. This normal pathway involves capillaries, which are tiny blood vessels that facilitate the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products between the blood and the body's tissues.

An arteriovenózní malformation (AVM) is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels that can occur in the brain, spinal cord, or elsewhere in the body. In an AVM, the arteries connect directly to veins, bypassing the capillary system. This direct connection can lead to high-pressure blood flow from the arteries into the veins, which can weaken the vessel walls over time.

The consequences of an arteriovenózní malformation depend on its location and size. In the brain, AVMs can cause symptoms such as headaches, seizures, or neurological deficits, and they carry a risk of bleeding (hemorrhage). Treatment options for AVMs vary and may include surgical removal, embolization (blocking the abnormal vessels), or radiation therapy. The term arteriovenózní itself simply describes the direct link between arterial and venous systems, highlighting a deviation from the typical circulatory path.