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.