For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact our clinical coordinator at 773-702-4347.
Cure HHT Center of Excellence

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome, is a rare genetic condition that causes bleeding due to blood vessels that did not develop correctly. HHT causes arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) — tangled connections between arteries and veins. AVMs can affect different organs, including the gastrointestinal system, skin, lungs, liver and brain. Complications from arteriovenous malformations range in severity from discoloration of the skin to bleeding and disruption of normal organ function.
Coordinated Care, Integrated Approach
Due to the complex nature of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, most patients require coordinated care by experts in many specialties. At the University of Chicago Medicine, we take an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of individuals with HHT. Whether a patient needs genetic screening or a complex procedure, our team of specialists have the resources and expertise to provide advanced and comprehensive care.
HHT is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder, meaning it takes only one parent with the gene to pass it on to a child. If a parent has HHT, there is a 50 percent chance that any of his or her children will inherit the disease. Multiple genes have been identified as having involvement in this disease, including a gene that also causes polyps in the colon or, potentially, colon cancer.
An individual is considered to have HHT if three of the four following conditions are met:
- Family history, including a first degree relative with HHT
- Small dilated blood vessels (telangiectasia) at characteristic sites: lips, mouth, finger and nose
- Spontaneous, recurrent nose bleeds (epistaxis)
- Telangiectasia in the gastrointestinal tract and/or larger AVMs in the lungs, liver or brain
If two of the four above conditions are met, then HHT is considered a possible diagnosis.
The following diagnostic tests may be used to confirm HHT:
- Advanced MRI and CT imaging
- Cerebral angiography
- Doppler ultrasound
- Genetic testing
- Liver biopsy
- Pulmonary angiography
While there is no cure for HHT, the symptoms can be treated. Our services include:
-
Laser treatment and other interventions to reduce the number of lesions on the skin
-
Endonasal coagulation and mucosal flaps for cases of recurrent nosebleeds
-
Endovascular embolization, a minimally invasive procedure performed to stop excessive nosebleeds or to block vascular malformations in the lungs, liver or brain
-
Neurovascular surgery to remove arteriovenous malformations from the brain and focused radiation (stereotactic radiosurgery) to promote blockage of arteriovenous malformations
-
Procoagulants to help control active bleeding and hormonal therapies that may stabilize blood vessels
-
Treatment for anemia resulting from recurrent bleeds
Some medications (to prevent new blood vessels from developing) are being investigated in clinical trials. The effectiveness of these medicines is not yet determined.
If you experience acute bleeding or other emergency, we will work with your local physician or emergency room to arrange urgent transfer to UChicago Medicine.
HHT Foundation International, Inc.
The University of Chicago Medicine and Comer Children's Hospital provide links to other organizations as a service to our site visitors. We are not responsible for information or services provided on other websites.
Expedited patient transfer, urgent transfers and consultations
If you are a healthcare provider and wish to transfer a patient with a neurologic emergency or to speak with our team directly, call our dedicated NeuroICU transfer line at 1-773-834-NSICU (6742). It will be answered by an attending neuro-intensivist, addressing ischemic stroke, brain bleeding, status epilepticus, neurotrauma, hydrocephalus, tumors and other neurologic emergencies.
If requested, we will facilitate seamless transfer and make arrangements for bed assignment
To schedule a consultation for a less urgent neurovascular condition, call us at:
- Stroke Neurology: 773-702-6222
- Neurovascular Surgery: 773-702-2123
- Neurointerventional Surgery: 773-702-5004