An abnormal connection between arteries and veins is called what?

• A. Brain death
• B. AV Malformation
• C. Occlusion
• D. Vasospasm

Answer: (B)

An arteriovenous malformation is an abnormal direct connection between arteries and veins, bypassing the capillary bed. This creates a high-flow shunt where arterial blood enters the venous system, often forming a tangled nidus of vessels. In the brain, AVMs can present with seizures or hemorrhage and show rapid, high-velocity, pulsatile flow on Doppler imaging. The other terms refer to different processes: brain death is loss of brain function, occlusion is a blockage causing ischemia, and vasospasm is vessel narrowing. The abnormal artery-to-vein connection is best described as an arteriovenous malformation.