Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula mimicking as acyanotic heart disease with shunt reversal

Abstract

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) or pulmonary arterio venous (PAV) fistula are relatively rare pulmonary vascular disorders. Although most of the patients are asymptomatic, PAVMs can cause dyspnea, clubbing, and central cyanosis and is an important differential diagnosis of common cardiopulmonary problems, such as hypoxemia and congenital heart diseases with reversal of shunt. There is a strong association between PAVM and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Chest radiography, contrast echocardiography, and contrast enhanced computed tomography are important initial diagnostic tools, but pulmonary angiography is the gold standard. Therapeutic options include angiographic coil embolization or balloon occlusion and surgical excision.