This week, we decided to clarify the unclear on the topic of vascular malformations with one of the best in the field – Prof. Iris Baumgartner. This group of diseases is a rather neglected one in vascular medicine, but make no mistake after listening to this episode you will get clarifications on a topic and for your own comfort, we created some bullet points with shownotes below, so that you can start using it in your practice right away. Enjoy!Bullet points:
An inherited congenital vascular malformation is diagnosed in 0.5-1.5% of all people worldwide
A congenital vascular malformation is classified according to ISSVA (International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies) https://www.issva.org/classification
The most frequent congenital vascular malformation is venous malformation (up to 50-70% of all vascular malformations). The arterio-venous malformation is rather rare, with 10-15% at most.
Clinical symptoms depend on the vascular bed (venous, capillary, lymphatic, arterio-venous) involved and in combination with other anomalies (e.g., overgrowth)
Duplex ultrasound and magnetic resonance are basic imaging modalities to diagnose congenital vascular malformation.
Management of patients with congenital vascular malformations is a multidisciplinary approach.
The symptomatic arterio-venous malformation is progressive, and over time, most patients with large-sized arterio-venous malformation need therapy.
Most arterio-venous malformations are based on oncogenes activated in endothelial cells within the nidus.
For patients with extensive disease, molecularly targeted drug therapy might become lifesaving.
As targeted drug therapy comes along with side effects, it is necessary to collaborate with an experienced internist or oncologist.
Medial therapy still is experimental and needs acceptance for compassionate use.
Unexperienced colleagues should take some time and join large centres with experience to learn invasive and medical treatment under close supervision.
