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Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)

From Jose Vega M.D., Ph.D., for About.com

Updated: November 02, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

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Definition: A group of blood vessels abnormally connected to one another in such a way that arteries connect directly to veins. This causes them to skip the capillary bed, an area that normally decreases the pressure of blood as it goes through the tissues of the brain.

Examples: AVMs cause headaches and can lead to hemorrhagic strokes
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