Arteriovenous Fistula, Symptoms & Causes
Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are abnormal connections between arteries and veins. AVFs can be surgically created, can occur as a result of a congenital or genetic anomaly, or can be secondary to iatrogenic injury or trauma.
Nivedita Dar18 Sept, 2024
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Arteriovenous Fistula: an abnormal connection between artery and vein. An arteriovenous (AV) fistula is a connection between an artery and a vein. Normally, blood flows from the arteries to the capillaries then to the veins. With an AV fistula, blood will flow from an artery to a vein, bypassing some capillaries.
This can affect the tissues downstream from the bypassed arteries, causing them to receive less blood, or affect the veins and create swelling of an extremity. AV fistulas usually affect the legs, but they can occur anywhere throughout the body.Visit - MedEd App
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Arteriovenous Fistula Causes
AV fistulas are either congenital or acquired. Congenital means a person was born with the AV fistula. An acquired AV fistula is one that developed or was created after a person’s birth and/or later in life.Congenital AV Fistulas
Congenital AV fistulas are rare. The exact reasons for why they might occur are unknown, but they may occur in some babies whose arteries and veins don’t develop correctly while in the womb. Pulmonary AV fistulas can result from the abnormal development of blood vessels located in the lungs. These types of fistulas are also common in people with a condition called hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). People with HHT have abnormal blood vessels in many areas of their bodies.Read More - Radiodiagnosis
Acquired AV Fistulas
These are usually caused by some trauma. They can also be surgically created. An injury that pierces the skin, such as a stab wound, can lead to an AV fistula in an area of the injury where the vein and artery are side-by-side. This type of fistula can appear right away or may develop after a few hours. The area will swell up if the blood makes its way into surrounding tissues. A surgical AV fistula is a connection of an artery to a vein made by a vascular surgeon . The AV fistula is usually placed in the forearm (upper arm). Having a larger vein provides easy and reliable access to blood vessels. The AV fistula is created for hemodialysis , an ongoing treatment that filters wastes and water from the blood in the same way healthy kidneys do.Symptoms of AVF
There are two major types of AVFs: dural AVFs and carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs). These are acquired lesions, which means that patients are not born with them, but instead develop them later in life. They can be a result of infection or traumatic injuries, but most develop without any specific cause. Patients with dural AVFs typically experience a rumbling noise in one ear that follows the heartbeat, which is called a bruit. Patients with CCFs typically note swelling and redness of one or both eyes in addition to a bruit.Read More - Pelvis and Perineum
Arteriovenous Fistula Treatment
Ultrasound-guided compression
This may be an option for an arteriovenous fistula in the legs that's easily seen on ultrasound. In this treatment, an ultrasound probe is pushed down on the fistula for about 10 minutes. The compression destroys blood flow to the damaged blood vessels.Catheter embolization
In this procedure, a thin, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted in an artery near the arteriovenous fistula. Then, a small coil or stent is placed at the site of the fistula to reroute blood flow. Many people who have catheter embolization stay in the hospital for less than a day and can resume daily activities within a week.Arteriovenous Fistula FAQs
What is a carotid-cavernous fistula?
A carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) is an abnormal connection between the carotid artery and the cavernous sinus, causing blood to flow improperly between them.
Why is AV fistula called a high-pressure to low-pressure system?
An AV fistula is called a high-pressure to low-pressure system because it connects an artery (high pressure) to a vein (low pressure), creating direct blood flow between them.
What is stereotactic radiosurgery for AV fistula?
Stereotactic radiosurgery for an AV fistula is a non-invasive treatment that uses focused radiation to close off the abnormal blood vessels of the fistula.
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