Resection of Clustered Arteriovenous Malformations to Avoid Lung Transplantation

A 54-year-old man with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and severe hypoxemia was referred for lung transplantation. Embolization had not been performed because of numerous bilateral small pulmonary arteriovenous malformations. Although he appeared to be qualified for lung transplantation, we instead performed bilateral thoracoscopic multiple wide wedge resections because of his age, lifestyle as a farmer, and relatively clustered distribution of arteriovenous malformations. Intermittent bilateral ventilation was needed because of poor oxygenation in the early stages of the operation, but his oxygenation improved as the resection progressed. His postoperative oxygenation improved significantly, and lung transplantation was avoided.