Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation

Excerpt

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) is a rare pulmonary condition characterized by structurally abnormal communication between the pulmonary artery and pulmonary vein, leading to a pathological intrapulmonary right-to-left shunt. These malformations are also known as pulmonary arteriovenous fistulae, aneurysms, and pulmonary hemangiomas. Initially described by Churton in 1897, these lesions were later identified in association with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome.

While a significant proportion of individuals with PAVMs may remain asymptomatic, those who go undiagnosed could later experience severe complications, including ischemic stroke, myocardial infarctions, cerebral abscesses, massive hemoptysis, and hemothorax. Despite its relatively low incidence, it is crucial to consider PAVMs in the differential diagnosis for patients with symptoms like epistaxis, hypoxemia, and exertional dyspnea. This activity aims to provide insights into the etiology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, evaluation, and management of patients with PAVMs.