Extract
Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) are structurally abnormal vessels that provide direct capillary-free communications between the pulmonary and systemic circulations, and hence, right-to-left shunts [1]. Due to impaired gas exchange, hypoxaemia is common but exercise tolerance is usually preserved through haematological (erythrocytotic) and cardiovascular compensations [2, 3], and patients are frequently asymptomatic [1–3]. Treatment of PAVMs is recommended to prevent paradoxical embolic sequelae such as ischaemic strokes [4] and brain abscess [5], commonly improves migraine headaches [6], and is a successful emergency treatment for haemorrhage.
Abstract
Pulmonary AVM embolisation appears to improve nosebleed severity for nearly one in six people with HHT http://ow.ly/4mJqip
Footnotes
Support statement: This study received support from donations from families and friends of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia patients, and National Heart and Lung Institute BSc Project funds (to C.L. Shovlin for T. Patel). Dr Shovlin also acknowledges support from the National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre Funding Scheme (Imperial BRC). The study sponsors played no part in study design, in the collection, analysis or interpretation of data, in the writing of the report, or in the decision to submit the paper for publication. Funding information for this article has been deposited with FundRef.
Conflict of interest: None declared
- Received March 9, 2016.
- Accepted April 2, 2016.
- Copyright ©ERS 2016
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