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Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula

Definition

Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula is a condition in which an abnormal connection (fistula) develops between an artery and vein in the lungs. As a result, blood passes through the lungs without receiving enough oxygen.

Alternative Names

Arteriovenous malformation - pulmonary

Causes

Pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas are usually the result of a genetic (inherited) disease that causes the blood vessels of the lung to develop abnormally. Fistulas also can be a complication of liver disease.

Patients with Rendu-Osler-Weber disease (ROWD) -- also called hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasis (HHT) -- often have abnormal blood vessels in many parts of the body.

Symptoms

Many people have no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they can include:

Other possible symptoms include:

Exams and Tests

  • Abscesses or infections of the heart valves
  • Abnormal blood vessels (telangiectasias) may be seen on the skin or mucus membranes
  • Murmur heard when a stethoscope is placed over the abnormal blood vessel
  • High red blood cell count

Tests include:

Treatment

A small number of patients who have no symptoms may not need treatment. For most patients with fistulas, the treatment of choice is to block the fistula during an arteriogram (embolization).

Some patients may need surgery to remove the abnormal vessels and nearby lung tissue.

When arteriovenous fistulas are caused by liver disease, the treatment is a liver transplant.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The outlook for patients with HHT is not as good as for those without HHT. For patients with HHT, surgery to remove the abnormal vessels usually has a good outcome, and the condition is not likely to return.

Possible Complications

Major complications after treatment for this condition are unusual. Complications may include:

  • Bleeding in the lung
  • Blood clot that travels from the lungs to the arms, legs, or brain (paradoxical embolism)
  • Infection in the brain or heart valve

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if you often have nosebleeds or difficulty breathing, especially if you also have a history of HHT.

Prevention

Because this condition is often genetic, prevention is not usually possible.

References

Marelli AJ. Congenital heart disease in adults. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 68.

Review Date: 9/15/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Denis Hadijiliadis, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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