Long-term follow-up after embolization of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations with detachable silicone balloons

Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2008 May-Jun;31(3):569-74. doi: 10.1007/s00270-007-9256-6. Epub 2007 Dec 21.

Abstract

Long-term follow-up results after embolization of 13 pulmonary arteriovenous malformations in 10 patients by use of 14 detachable silicone balloons are given. Patients were followed for a mean of 99 months (range, 63-123 months) with chest x-rays and for a mean of 62 months (range, 3-101 months) with pulmonary angiography. Fifty-four percent of the balloons were deflated at latest radiographic chest film follow-up, but at pulmonary angiographic follow-up all embolized malformations were without flow irrespective of whether or not the balloons were visible. Detachable silicone balloons are not available anymore, but use of these balloons for embolization of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations has been shown to be a safe and precise method, with immediate occlusion of the feeding artery and with long-lasting occlusion, even though many balloons deflate with time, leaving a fibrotic scar replacing the pulmonary arteriovenous malformation. No case of recanalization has been discovered, and these results seem to justify a reduced number of controls of these balloon-embolized malformations.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Angiography
  • Arteriovenous Fistula / diagnostic imaging
  • Arteriovenous Fistula / mortality
  • Arteriovenous Fistula / therapy*
  • Arteriovenous Malformations / diagnostic imaging
  • Arteriovenous Malformations / mortality
  • Arteriovenous Malformations / therapy*
  • Balloon Occlusion / instrumentation*
  • Balloon Occlusion / methods
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Safety
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Artery / abnormalities
  • Pulmonary Circulation / physiology*
  • Pulmonary Veins / abnormalities
  • Radiology, Interventional / methods
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Silicones
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Survival Rate
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Silicones