[Embolization of localized pulmonary arteriovenous malformations in adults]

To report our experience using embolization in managing localized pulmonary arteriovenous malformations in adults.

and methods. All patients presenting with localized pulmonary arteriovenous malformations treated with embolization were included in the study. Clinical presentation (respiratory symptoms and previous history of paradoxical embolism) and the characteristics of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (single or multiple, location, diameter of the afferent artery and simple or complex angioarchitecture) before embolization were analyzed. The details of the procedure, including the number of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations embolized, the number of coils used, and the type of intraoperative complications were recorded. Postembolization clinical and imaging follow-up were described.

Forty-two patients (26 women, 16 men; mean age, 45 years), including 36 with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia were treated with embolization. Twenty-two patients (53%) were dyspneic and 12 (29%) had a previous history of paradoxical embolism prior to embolization. Forty-seven procedures were carried out on a total of 99 pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (mean, 2.3 per patient), using 530 coils (12.6 per patient). The pulmonary arteriovenous malformations were located in the lower lobes in 60% of cases and a simple architecture was reported in 81% of cases. The average diameter of the afferent artery was 6mm. No preoperative complications were reported. After embolization, two patients (5%) presented with a paradoxical embolism and five patients out of 22 (23%) remained dyspneic. The rate of complete occlusion of treated arteriovenous malformations was 92% using computer tomography.

Embolization is a highly effective and safe technique for treating pulmonary arteriovenous malformations. Improvement in dyspnea and prevention of paradoxical embolism can be expected. A high technical success rate can be obtained by experienced interventional radiologists.