Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 1, 2026

Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension and Assessment of Right Ventricular Function in the Piglet
Published on: November 4, 2015
Transcatheter embolotherapy of maternal pulmonary arteriovenous malformations during pregnancy
A S Gershon1, M E Faughnan, K S Chon
1Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Study Objectives:
To determine if transcatheter embolotherapy is safe and effective for the treatment of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations during pregnancy.
Design:
Prospective study.
Setting:
Specialized hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia centers at Yale University School of Medicine and St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto.
Patients:
Seven pregnant women (age range, 24 to 34 years; gestational age range, 16 to 36 weeks) undergoing transcatheter embolotherapy.
Interventions:
Transcatheter embolotherapy in all patients.
Measurements And Results:
Thirteen pulmonary arteriovenous malformations in seven patients were embolized with detachable silicone balloons and/or stainless steel coils without incident. The estimated fetal radiation dose ranged from < 50 to 220 mrad. No complications of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations occurred in any of the patients after transcatheter embolotherapy. The mothers went on to deliver healthy babies in all cases.
Conclusions:
Transcatheter embolotherapy of maternal pulmonary arteriovenous malformations performed by an experienced radiologist appears to be safe and effective after 16 weeks of gestational age.
Related Concept Videos
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

