Abnormal Passage Between Artery and Vein in Cats

Arteriovenous Fistula in Cats
 
An abnormal, low resistance connection between an artery and a vein is called an arteriovenous fistula. If large enough, the fistula may cause a significant fraction of the total cardiac output to bypass the capillary bed, making it so that the tissues receive little or no oxygen. The heart, in turn, tries to compensate for the lack of oxygen by pumping blood out to the body at a faster rate, which may lead “high output” congestive heart failure.
 
The location of arteriovenous fistulae varies; reported sites include the head, neck, ear ...read more

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