Also called: Osler-Weber-Rendu Syndrome
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a genetic disorder that causes abnormalities of a small percentage of the blood vessels in the body. If these problematic blood vessels rupture, severe bleeding occurs. Abnormalities of small vessels are usually diagnosed as telangiectasias while larger blood vessels are diagnosed as arteriovenous malformations (AVM).
At UAMS, our interventional radiologists lead a multidisciplinary team of experts that offer state-of-the-art treatment for HHT. In fact, the 2020 International HHT Guidelines are co-authored by UAMS interventional radiologist Mary E. “Mollie” Meek, M.D.
Recognizing and Treating HHT
Because HHT has a number of symptoms, diagnosis can be difficult. Even within a family, symptoms vary greatly and include:
- Severe nosebleeds
- Red splotches on the skin, especially the fingertips
Patients with HHT may have blood clots in various areas of the body, including the lungs, which may be very dangerous if left untreated. At academic medical centers like UAMS, our team includes a number of caring and compassionate specialists who can perform procedures that are minimally or noninvasive. One of only a few HHT centers in the U.S, we help our patients control this condition and lead a relatively normal life.
In addition to treatment for HHT, UAMS geneticists offer genetic testing to ensure that family members who do not have HHT are not subjected to unnecessary tests or procedures.
