Propranolol as a potentially novel treatment of arteriovenous malformations

Abstract

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are characterized by a snarled tangle of arteries and veins that are connected to each other through a bypass in the capillary bed.1,2 AVMs can occur anywhere on the body but are most commonly in the brain, lungs, pelvis, and extremities.1,2 AVMs can be either asymptomatic or cause intense pain or bleeding and can lead to serious medical problems.3,4 The diagnosis of an AVM involves a combination of vascular imaging studies, such as Doppler ultrasound, computerized axial tomography, magnetic resonance angiography, and histologic examination of tissue biopsies.