Dr. Tigran Khachatryan, MD, PhD.

Brain Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)

What is a Brain Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)?

A Brain Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) is an abnormal cluster of blood vessels where arteries connect directly to veins. This alters the normal pathway of blood flow in the brain and can raise concerns about bleeding or other neurological symptoms. Many AVMs are discovered during imaging done for another reason. Symptoms can occur when an AVM irritates nearby brain tissue, affects normal blood flow, or bleeds.

Brain Arteriovenous Malformation Treatment in Glendale, CA

When you are exploring care options, you deserve a plan that is built on precise imaging and practical guidance. I am Tigran Khachatryan, MD, PhD, a neurovascular and endovascular neurologist practicing at the Armenian Neuroscience Institute. Many patients want to meet an AVM Brain Specialist in Glendale, CA, when the diagnosis feels stressful, and I focus on structured decision-making rather than rushed conclusions.

In my practice, Brain Arteriovenous Malformation Treatment in Glendale, CA, is organized around understanding your AVM anatomy first, then discussing options in a way that feels understandable and medically grounded. My work includes evaluation and procedural care for neurovascular conditions, including brain AVMs.

Treatment recommendations are based on the AVM’s features, your symptoms, and the balance of expected benefit and procedural risk for your situation. These may include:

A careful, individualized evaluation is the foundation for choosing monitoring, an endovascular procedure, or a staged strategy.

How I Evaluate a Brain AVM

A thorough evaluation usually includes:

Review of symptoms and medical history

I look closely at headaches, seizures, neurologic changes, and any prior hemorrhage or hospital care. I also review medications and any factors that could affect procedural planning.

Imaging review that explains the anatomy

MRI, CTA, or MRA may identify an AVM and provide important context. In many cases, a cerebral angiogram is used to map the AVM in high detail, including feeding arteries and draining veins. Diagnostic cerebral angiography is one of the core procedures I provide for evaluating and planning brain AVMs. For patients seeking Arteriovenous Malformation Treatment of the Brain in Glendale, CA, that level of detail can be necessary for choosing the safest next step and setting realistic expectations.

Treatment paths I may recommend

AVM treatment is individualized. Some AVMs are best managed with careful monitoring, while others may benefit from a procedure or a staged approach. My goal is to explain why a given path makes sense for your AVM and your clinical context. Options I may discuss include:

Observation with structured follow-up, when the safest choice is monitoring over time

When discussing Brain Arteriovenous Malformation Treatment in Glendale, I also review what follow-up imaging may be necessary and what symptoms should prompt urgent evaluation.

Endovascular Procedures I Provide for Brain AVMs

Treatment is selected based on AVM size, location, drainage pattern, symptoms, and whether bleeding has occurred. Planning for Arteriovenous Malformation Treatment of the Brain in Glendale includes a detailed imaging review and a discussion of benefits, risks, and follow-up.

01.

Diagnostic Cerebral Angiogram

A diagnostic cerebral angiogram is a test that maps the brain’s arteries and veins with very high detail. I may recommend it when MRI, CTA, or MRA does not fully define the AVM’s feeding arteries, the central nidus, or the draining veins needed for safe planning.

02.

Embolization of Ruptured Brain AVM

When an AVM has bled, treatment planning often focuses on reducing the chance of re-bleeding and addressing high-risk features seen on imaging. Embolization is performed through the blood vessels using a catheter, with the goal of reducing or closing abnormal blood flow in selected parts of the AVM when appropriate.

03.

Embolization of Unruptured Brain AVM

For an unruptured AVM, the decision to treat is individualized. I weigh AVM features and symptoms against the risks of intervention. When embolization is appropriate, I employ an endovascular approach to target specific vessels, thereby reducing AVM flow or supporting a staged treatment plan.

When to Seek Emergency Care

Call 911 immediately if you or a loved one develops symptoms that may suggest bleeding in the brain or another serious neurologic emergency, including:
Emergency care should not be delayed. Once you are stabilized, I can help review images and discuss next steps.

Common Symptoms That Can Be Associated With A Brain AVM

Some AVMs cause no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they may include:
Symptoms are not enough to confirm an AVM or define its risk. Imaging is essential for diagnosis and planning.

Why AVMs Form and Who May Be at Higher Risk

Many brain AVMs are considered congenital, meaning they are present from birth, even if they are not discovered until later. In many patients, there is no single identifiable cause. Rarely, AVMs can be associated with inherited vascular conditions, and family history may influence how I think about evaluation.
If you have had a prior hemorrhage or new seizures, I can explain what that history means for your next steps and what imaging is most useful. In many situations, Arteriovenous Malformation Treatment of the Brain in Glendale involves deciding whether embolization is best used as the primary therapy or as part of a broader plan.

How to Get an Appointment in Glendale

Care is provided by appointment, and walk-in visits are not accommodated. To request a visit, call +1 (833) 888-9933, and you may ask about expedited consultations when clinically appropriate. If you are ready for Brain Arteriovenous Malformation Treatment in Glendale, CA, I can review your imaging, clarify risk, and outline a step-by-step plan based on your AVM details.

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