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Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia

Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT)

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia is a genetic disorder that affects about one in 5,000 people and causes arterial blood to flow directly into the veins, creating weakened ballooned vessels that can rupture. Interventional radiologists are one of the few specialists who can permanently treat this disease that affects approximately half a million people worldwide. As vascular experts, interventional radiologists perform embolization - blocking the blood flow to the affected area - to prevent a life-threatening rupture.

Most patients with Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia function normally and 40 percent have brain or lung involvement that may lead to unexpected severe complications. Physicians treating complications often don't realize that the underlying disorder is Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia. As a result, most patients are undiagnosed.

Overview of circulatory system and Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia

In the normal circulatory system, arteries take oxygenated blood from the heart and push it out to all parts of the body under high pressure, while the veins return the blood back to the heart. Small capillaries typically connect the arteries to the veins. A person with Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia lacks capillaries in a few blood vessels in critical locations. Arteries connect directly into veins, creating a fragile site that can rupture and bleed. These abnormal blood vessels are called telangiectasis if they involve small blood vessels (nose, stomach and small bowel) and arterioveneous malformations (AVM) if it involves a larger blood vessel (lung, brain and liver). Telangiectases often occur near the surface of the skin like the mucous membrane in the nose while AVMs appear in the internal organs of the body.

Clinical Trials for Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT)

Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.

Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.

Closed Trials

Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia Center of Excellence

Our care team draws from breadth of medical and surgical specialties to offer you highly individualized, comprehensive care and support.

Stanford Hospital
300 Pasteur Drive
Stanford, CA 94305
Phone: 650-498-1764
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