Malformations artério-veineuses pulmonaires

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) are rare but may be responsible for severe and potentially lethal complications due mainly to paradoxical emboli that may manifest as stroke or brain abcess. Right-to-left shunting may cause dyspnea but patients are often asymptomatic until a complication occurs. In over 80 % of the patients, PAVMs are associated with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia. Screening of families with this condition is therefore crucial. Most patients, even asymptomatic, should be treated. The treatment of choice is embolisation of PAVMs which is effective and carries a low complication rate in skilled hands. Surgical resection is almost never required.