A brain arteriovenous malformation is a tangle of weakened blood vessels connecting arteries and veins. Arteriovenous malformations only occur in about 1 in every 700 people. Neurosurgeon Dr. Bernard Bendok says, "While they’re not real common, they can be dangerous." | Mayo Clinic

Case Study 199: Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs) An Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) is a rare, tangled web of arteries and veins that connect abnormally, bypassing the normal capillary system. This causes high-pressure arterial blood to flow directly into fragile veins which were never designed to handle that stress. Over time, this can lead to: ⚠️ Micro-bleeds (tiny, often silent leaks) ⚠️ Seizures or headaches ⚠️ Stroke or hemorrhage if rupture occurs AVMs are often congenital, meaning peop