The diagnosis and interventional management of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVM) describe a broad group of complex vascular malformations, often associated with multi-system diseases and with palliated complex congenital heart disease. They can have major clinical consequences, resulting in strokes, cerebral abscesses, cyanosis and, infrequently, rupture into the pleural space. The best approach to their investigation and interventional treatment is via a multidisciplinary pathway which should be focused in high-volume centres with on-site thoracic and cardiovascular surgical back-up. The availability of computed tomography (CT) and a broad cathlab inventory aid procedural planning and success. The results of interventional treatment are very encouraging and are applicable to an increasingly broad group of patients thanks to improvements in interventional techniques and a significant expansion of the inventory of vascular occlusion devices.