A brain AVM (arteriovenous malformation) is a tangle of abnormal blood vessels connecting arteries and veins in the brain. These vessels bypass the normal capillary system, allowing blood to flow directly from the arteries into the veins. This can lead to an increased risk of bleeding in the brain, known as a hemorrhagic stroke, and can also cause seizures, headaches, and other neurological symptoms. AVMs are considered rare, occurring in about 18 in every 1,000 people, but they are the number one cause of a brain bleed in a child excluding trauma. Some brain AVM's are able to be treated, but others are not. Treatment options can include surgery, radiation therapy, and embolization.
Artie V. is our very special butterfly pig. He was created to spread AVM Awareness and remind the community that stroke has no age limit! Artie V. was initially designed for a boy named Kyler Lewis who had an AVM rupture causing a hemorrhagic stroke at just 15 years old. www.avmwarrior.com Pigs have always been Kyler's favorite animal. A green butterfly is the symbol of a brain bleed survivor so a flying pig seemed like the perfect way to share Kyler's story with the community. Artie V. wears a maroon AVM Awareness ribbon on his chest. He is also the spokes pig for the AVM Alliance Podcast.
