Massive pulmonary hemorrhage from dual circulation pulmonary arteriovenous malformations in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

Abstract

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are commonly supplied by the pulmonary arterial system and rarely by the systemic bronchial circulation. The authors outline the case of a young woman with pulmonary AVMs as part of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia with the uncommon presentation of massive hemoptysis. Management of her recurrent, life-threatening pulmonary hemorrhage was complicated by pulmonary AVMs that were supplied by both the pulmonary and systemic bronchial arterial circulatory systems. Transcatheter embolotherapy of the higher pressure bronchial systemic circuit was necessary for acute hemostasis. © 2004 Pulsus Group Inc. All rights reserved.