Exertional hypoxia in a healthy adult: a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation

Abstract

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) are a rare cause of pulmonary symptoms, including dyspnoea on exertion, hypoxemia and haemoptysis. PAVMs are an aetiology that is often overlooked by physicians when developing a differential diagnosis for pulmonary symptoms and unidentified lung masses. However, it is an important differential diagnosis to have as PAVMs can have serious sequelae including strokes, brain abscess and life-threatening bleeding. We present a case of an impressive PAVM presenting with chest pain, chronic cough, feelings of anxiety, mild resting hypoxemia and exertional hypoxemia. Of note, on previous chest X-ray, 8 years prior to presentation, an incidental mass was found during a shoulder repair presurgical workup but not further evaluated.

Attention to pulmonary arteriovenous fistula in a case of transient hypoxemia and cerebral infarction during pregnancy: a case report and literature review

“…Most patients show no typical symptoms, making early identification difficult [ 9 ]. We searched the Web of Science and PubMed databases without language restriction to identify case reports or case series published up to 30 June 2023 using the following terms: “pulmonary arteriovenous fistula or pulmonary arteriovenous malformation” and “pregnancy.” Twenty-nine cases of PAVF diagnosed during pregnancy were retrieved [ 3 , 6 , 10 – 36 ].…”