About this topic
Blood flows to all areas of the body through blood vessels. These are arteries and veins. Some people have a small tangle web of abnormal blood vessels called an AVM. This stands for arteriovenous malformation. If this tangle of blood vessels are in the brain, they may cause serious health problems like seizures or bleeding. Doctors may treat an AVM many ways. Some of them are: ‚
- Taking out the tangle of blood vessels. This is surgery.
- Plugging the vessels with a special glue or wire. This is embolization.
- Using light energy to close the vessels. This is gamma knife surgery.
- Focused radiation on the AMB. This is radiosurgery.
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- How to care for your cut sites. Do not pull on any stitches or staples.
- When you may take a bath or shower. Use a chair in the shower if you are feeling weak or tired.
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- Taking your blood pressure and recording it
- Do not drink beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
- Your doctor may have you see a rehab specialist. Rehab helps you to learn to do your normal daily activities.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent infection
- Lower swelling in the brain
- Prevent seizures
- Control upset stomach and throwing up
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. The doctor may want you to rest for a while after surgery. Talk to your doctor about: ‚
- The right amount of activity for you
- When it is safe for you to drive
- When you may add to your amount of exercise
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Headaches
- Memory loss
- Seizure
- Stroke
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of stroke. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Call your doctor if you have: ‚
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Headache that does not go away after taking pain drugs
- Seizures
- Feeling dizzy or light headed
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of a stroke, headaches, or seizures.
Where can I learn more?
American Association of Neurological Surgeons ‚
http://www.aans.org/Patient%20Information/Conditions%20and%20Treatments/Arteriovenous%20Malformations.aspx ‚
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke ‚
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/avms/detail_avms.htm ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚