Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations: a clinical review

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) are a rare clinical entity. M ost of them are associated with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia. The usual clinical presentation is exertional dyspnoea and hypoxaemia. The ini tial test of choice for screening is the 100% oxygen method. A pulmonary an giogram is needed to define the anatomy and guide transcatheter embolisatio n (TCE). TCE has been shown to be effective and safe with a very low recana lisation rate and has largely replaced surgery for PAVMs. Computed tomograp hy of the chest can be used for the follow up of asymptomatic PAVMs and TCE .