Heart and Vascular
Vascular Malformations
The UC Davis Vascular Center offers noninvasive testing, coordinated care and all of your vascular specialists within one clinic. Whether your condition is complex or simple, we streamline your entire care experience.
Medically reviewed by Rex Pillai, M.D. on Aug. 07, 2023.
Vascular Malformations
Vascular malformations are abnormal changes in one or more of your blood vessels. Most of them are congenital (present at birth).
Types of vascular malformations include:
- Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs): Clusters of blood vessels that irregularly connect arteries to veins.
- Venous malformations: Abnormally developed veins.
- Hemangiomas: Clumps of blood vessels that form under your skin.
- Lymphatic malformations: Cyst-like areas in your lymph vessels.
- Cavernous malformations: Tangles of capillaries that usually happen in your brain, brain stem or spine.
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Vascular Malformation Symptoms
Your symptoms depend on which type of vascular malformation you have and its location. Some cause visible rashes or marks. Others are deep in the body or brain and may not cause symptoms for many years.
Symptoms
Vascular malformations may cause:
- Aches and pains
- Blot clots
- Lumps under your skin
- Organ damage
- Rashes
- Swelling
Emergency Symptoms
If you have symptoms of a stroke or pulmonary embolism, get medical care right away. Emergency symptoms include:
- Bleeding from skin vascular malformations
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing
- Coughing up blood
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Fever, swelling or other signs of infection
- Numbness in your face or body
- Sudden dizziness or fainting
- Sudden, severe headache
- Sudden trouble speaking, walking or seeing
Causes of Vascular Malformations
Most vascular malformations form before birth, when an area of the baby’s blood vessels doesn’t develop correctly. Vascular malformations later in life are uncommon, but they can happen.
Certain conditions raise your risk of vascular malformations. Inherited genetic changes cause most of these conditions, which include:
Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Syndrome (Bean Syndrome)
Bean syndrome affects the veins of your digestive system and causes dark patches on your skin.
CLOVES
CLOVES stands for Congenital Lipomatous Overgrowth, Vascular malformations, Epidermal nevi and Spine deformities. These conditions may cause AVMs in your spine, dark red rashes (port wine stains), fatty tissue growths and scoliosis.
Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (Osler-Webe-Rendu Syndrome)
This syndrome causes AVMs and tangles of capillaries to form. It can also cause nosebleeds and rashes.
Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome (KTS)
KTS may cause port wine stains and malformations in bones, muscles, joints and skin.
Parkes-Weber Syndrome
This condition causes AVMs in the arteries or veins of your arms or legs.
Risk Factors for Vascular Malformations
Hormonal Changes
Changes in hormones can increase risk of vascular malformations after birth. Hormones may change due to puberty, hormone medications, pregnancy or natural changes that are part of aging.
Injuries
An injury can cause damage to blood vessels.
Diagnosing Vascular Malformations
At the UC Davis Vascular Center, we use the latest imaging techniques to diagnose vascular malformations. These tests may include:
- Angiogram, an imaging test that uses a special injected dye to show blood flow throughout your body.
- CT (computed tomography) scan, an imaging test that reveals problems in blood vessel structures.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), a scan that gives detailed images of your vessels.
- Ultrasound, a scan that uses sound waves to create images of your vessels.
Vascular Malformation Treatments
Some vascular malformations don’t need treatment, but others may put you at risk for serious health problems. Treatment depends on the type of condition you have and which blood or lymph vessels it affects.
At the UC Davis Health Vascular Center, we treat all types of vascular malformations, no matter how complex. Treatment may use:
Embolization
This minimally invasive procedure delivers occlusive devices through a catheter inserted in your blood vessel. The device blocks blood flow, and the vessel eventually shrinks and scars.
Laser Therapy
Laser treatments shrink the problem vessel to stop blood flow into it.
Sclerotherapy
For this outpatient treatment, your physician injects a chemical solution into the vessel. The solution causes the vessel walls to stick together, closing it off.
Surgery
Your vascular surgeon removes or ties off the affected vessels.
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