Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula complicated by venous thromboembolism and paradoxical cerebral infarction during early pregnancy

Abstract

A 39-year-old Japanese woman was diagnosed with a pulmonary arteriovenous fistula (PAVF) complicated by paradoxical cerebral infarction during pregnancy. She received an inferior vena cava filter (IVCF), but it was difficult to indwell because of the risk of repeat thromboembolism via PAVF. Therefore, we temporarily occluded the pulmonary artery with a balloon to prevent free thrombi from reaching the IVCF. Detection and treatment of PAVF are recommended in fertile young women. Obstruction of the pulmonary artery trunk with a balloon catheter may be useful during IVCF removal in patients with untreated PAVF.