Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation in a case of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia

Abstract

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) are one of the most common serious complications of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). We present the case of a 63-year-old woman who presented with respiratory distress, pedal oedema and palpitations. She had a history of recurrent epistaxis and frequent blood transfusions. Family history of telangiectasias over oral and nasal mucosa is present. At the time of presentation, the patient had hypoxia, maintaining oxygen saturation 88% on pulse oximetry while breathing ambient air. Examination revealed decreased breath sounds in the right lung fields. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography showed a ruptured PAVM with haemothorax. The present case highlights the occurrence of a PAVM in a case of HHT.