Arteriovenous fistula

When an abnormal passageway or connection forms from an artery to a vein, the resulting medical condition is called arteriovenous fistula (AV). In a healthy circulatory system, blood is carried through arteries in the body, flows through capillaries, and then into veins, where the blood is pumped back to the heart. When an arteriovenous fistula has formed, the capillaries are bypassed all together, and blood flows directly from the arteries into the veins via the abnormal connection of an arteriovenous fistula. If too much diverted blood flows through the AV passageway, body tissues below the deformity receive less blood, or in addition, the increased amount of blood flowing back to the heart can cause heart failure. Arteriovenous fistula's commonly appear in the legs or arms, but can develop in any part of the body, including the eyes, brain, and lungs.

What Causes Arteriovenous fistula?
Arteriovenous fistula is both a congenital and an acquired medical Arteriovenous fistulacondition. Congenital arteriovenous fistula is a birth defect that forms in a developing fetus. If an arteriovenous fistula is formed after birth, it is considered aqcuired. An AV may form for a variety of reasons:

 An artery and vein next to each other become injured, and heal together;
 Congenitally, the artery and vein do not form correctly in the fetus;
 After surgery, they may arise as a complication;
 Some develop for no apparent reason.

If the amount of blood that flows into the vein is too high, the increased pressure can weaken the veins and cause them to bulge and stretch. These enlarged veins cause blood to flow more easily into them rather than through the arteries, which can cause blood pressure to drop. When blood pressure falls, the heart must work harder to distribute blood, and this increased exertion can, in time, cause the heart to fail. A person's risk of heart failure is comparable to the size of the developed arteriovenous fistula.

What are the symptoms of Arteriovenous fistula?
Because arteriovenous fistula's can form anywhere in the body, the symptoms can vary depending on their location. These common symptoms could be experienced by someone with arteriovenous fistula:

 Arteriovenous fistula near the surface of the skin may appear bulging and reddish blue or purple. Large formations are frequently mistaken for varicose veins;
 Veins affected by arteriovenous fistula in the face may appear purple in color and be unsightly.
 Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, and blood tinged sputum may indicate an arteriovenous fistula in the lung.

When a person suspects they may have an arteriovenous fistula, it is important they see their doctor. A doctor may perform a variety of accurate tests to check for the presence of an arteriovenous fistula. If an AV is detected, the person may be able to seek treatment if it is required.

Treating Arteriovenous fistula:
Many persons with arteriovenous fistula never experience any symptoms, and treatment is not necessary. Small developments of arteriovenous fistula may be treated with a surgical procedure. However, if an arteriovenous fistula has developed in a highly delicate part of the body such as the eye or brain, surgery is not possible. If this is the case, a medical professional may recommend injection treatment. During this treatment, a material is injected into the arteriovenous fistula which causes a blood clot to form, allowing blood to bypass the abnormal connection and flow correctly.
In speaking with a medical professional, a person may find that their case of arteriovenous fistula is small, and can correct itself naturally over time. For many however, treatment may be required to prevent the arteriovenous fistula from causing serious health problems, including low blood pressure and heart failure.

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