Single-center 10-year retrospective analysis of Amplatzer Vascular Plug 4 embolization for pulmonary arteriovenous malformations with feeding arteries of

Abstract

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Amplatzer Vascular Plug 4 (AVP4) embolization in pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) with small- to medium-sized feeding arteries (<6 mm) and to identify factors affecting persistence and the main persistence patterns after embolization. Between June 2013 and February 2023, we retrospectively reviewed 100 patients with 217 treated PAVMs. We included PAVMs with feeding arteries <6 mm, treated with AVP4 embolization, and followed adequately with computed tomography (CT). Technical success was defined as flow cessation observed on angiography. Persistence was defined as less than a 70% reduction of the venous sac on CT. We evaluated adverse events for each embolization session. Patterns of persistence were assessed using follow-up angiography. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate factors affecting persistence based on the 70% CT criteria. Fifty-one patients (48 women, 3 men; mean age: 50.8 years; age range: 16-71 years) with 103 PAVMs met the inclusion criteria. The technical success rate was 100%. The persistence rate was 9.7% (10/103), and the overall adverse event rate was 2.9% (3/103) during a mean follow-up of 556 days (range: 181-3,542 days). In two cases, the persistence pattern confirmed by follow-up angiography involved reperfusion via adjacent pulmonary artery collaterals. The location of embolization relative to the last normal branch of the pulmonary artery was the only factor substantially affecting persistence. Embolization with AVP4 appears to be safe and effective for small- to medium-sized PAVMs. The location of the embolization relative to the last normal branch of the pulmonary artery was found to be the main determinant of persistence. Given the increasing demand for the treatment of small PAVMs, AVP4 embolization could be considered a viable and effective option for managing PAVMs with feeding arteries <6 mm.