Do all arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) eventually bleed?

Do all arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) eventually bleed?

No. Some arteriovenous malformations never cause a bleed and may not even cause symptoms or any health problems your entire life. Some are only discovered during an imaging test for another reason or after death during an autopsy.

AVMs can cause other health issues other than bleeds. Some AVMs that grow and become large can press on an area of tissue and cause tissue damage, nerve cell damage and other cell damage in that area. If large enough and in a vital area, the lack of the capillaries between your arteries and veins can cause a lack of oxygen, nutrients and waste exchange in tissue in this area. This can lead to tissue death.