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What is arteriovenous (AV) fistula?

Intracranial Arteriovenous Fistula Model

An arteriovenous (AV) fistula is an irregular connection between an artery and a vein. Blood flow avoids tiny blood vessels (capillaries) and moves directly from an artery into a vein.

Arteriovenous fistulas usually occur in the legs but can develop anywhere in the body. An arteriovenous fistula may be surgically created for use in dialysis in people with severe kidney disease.

Symptoms of arteriovenous fistulas depend on where they form in the body. A large untreated arteriovenous fistula can lead to serious complications. Treatment for arteriovenous fistulas includes monitoring, compression, catheter-based procedures and, sometimes, surgery.

Symptoms:

Small arteriovenous fistulas in the legs, arms, lungs, kidneys or brain often won't have any signs or symptoms. Small arteriovenous fistulas usually don't need treatment other than monitoring by a health care provider. Large arteriovenous fistulas may cause signs and symptoms.

Arteriovenous fistula signs and symptoms may include:

*Purplish, bulging veins seen through the skin, similar to varicose veins

*Swelling in the arms or legs

*Decreased blood pressure

*Fatigue

*Heart failure

A significant arteriovenous fistula in the lungs (pulmonary arteriovenous fistula) is a serious condition and can cause:

*Pale gray or blue lips or fingernails due to lack of blood flow (cyanosis)

*Fingertips to spread out and become rounder than normal (clubbing)

*Coughing up blood

An arteriovenous fistula in the digestive tract can cause gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.

Risk factors:

Certain genetic or congenital conditions increase the risk of arteriovenous fistulas. Other potential risk factors for arteriovenous fistulas include:

*Older age

*Female sex

*Cardiac catheterization, especially if the procedure involves blood vessels in the groin

*Certain medications, including some blood thinners (anticoagulants) and medications used to control bleeding (antifibrinolytics)

*High blood pressure

*Increased body mass index (BMI)

Complications:

Left untreated, an arteriovenous fistula can cause complications. Some complications may be serious. These include:

*Heart failure. This is the most serious complication of large arteriovenous fistulas. Blood flows more quickly through an arteriovenous fistula than it does through typical blood vessels. The increased blood flow makes the heart pump harder. Over time, the strain on the heart can lead to heart failure.

*Blood clots. An arteriovenous fistula in the legs can cause blood clots to form. Leg blood clots may lead to a condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can be life-threatening if the clot travels to the lungs (pulmonary embolism). Depending on where the fistula is, it may lead to a stroke.

*Leg pain due to lack of blood flow (claudication). An arteriovenous fistula can block blood flow to muscles, causing leg pain.

*Internal bleeding. Arteriovenous fistulas may cause bleeding in the stomach and intestines.

Details

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  • Trando 3D Medical Technology Co., Ltd