Effects of Arteriovenous Malformations Strokes on Communication

Authors: Taylor Dupuis, Cassandra Natali, Reethee Antony, Sundeep Venkatesan

Field of Study: Psychology

Faculty Mentors: Cassandra Natali, Reethee Antony, Sundeep Venkatesan

Easel: 108

Timeslot: Morning

Abstract: Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are a tangling of blood vessels that can occur anywhere in the body. When an AVM is located in the brain, there is a 2-4% risk of having a stroke, making these types of strokes relatively rare. Recent research showed that for patients with AVMs involving language cortex, language reorganization takes place for different language functions. While there is an increasing body of research, it is important to understand the literature related to AVM to better serve this clinical population, hence the need for this study. This poster examines existing literature related to AVM and identifies the clinical manifestations related to communication in individuals with AVM. Understanding lived experiences of individuals who have survived an AVM and their families is key in improving patient-centered care. The impact on quality of life and long-term outcomes of AVM strokes is important in the field of speech-language pathology.