A rare cause of cyanosis in childhood: Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation

Abstract

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation, which is defined as the presence of an abnormal connection between the pulmonary artery and pulmonary vein, is rarely seen. Although it generally presents as a congenital condition, it may be accompanied by hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Clinical signs vary according to the amount of shunt in proportion to the number and size of the fistulae. Patients may present with cyanosis and respiratory trouble. If the disease remains untreated, it may result in cardiac failure and infective endocarditis, thereby leading to the rupture of the aneurysmal fistula. Transcatheter embolization of abnormal vascular connection is the current treatment method in this disease. This article describes the case of an 8-year-old child. He was presented with the symptom of getting tired quickly. Transcutaneous oxygen saturation of 75\%, and pulmonary arteriovenous malformation were detected in his examination. Successful transcatheter embolization of the fistula was performed.