[Clinical study of transcatheter arterial embolization for pulmonary arteriovenous fistula].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization for pulmonary arteriovenous fistula (PAVF).


METHODS
Eight patients with 14 PAVFs were treated by TAE for feeding arteries. In 5 of 8 cases, detachable balloons were used, and, in 3 of 8 cases, metalic coils were used for embolization of the feeding arterial branch. Detachable balloons or a series of metalic coils were placed at the feeding artery proximal to the fistula. The diameter of detachable balloons was twice the diameter of the feeding arterial branch. The diameter of metalic coils was 1 mm larger than the diameter of the feeding artery.


RESULTS
No complications were apparent in our cases. All PAVFs were completely occuluded by the embolization of a feeding branch. One month after the procedures, the arterial oxygen pressure increased to normal values in all cases and clinical symptoms disappeared. On postcontrast CT, the fistulas treated by the embolization of a feeding arterial branch were not enhanced.


CONCLUSIONS
The embolization of a feeding branch provided a radical cure for PAVFs.
Matsuura
K
K
Department of Radiology, Jichi Medical School, Omiya Medical Center.
Kobayashi
Y
Y
Tanaka
O
O
Sato
K
K
Fujisawa
H
H
Matsushima
H
H
Ichikawa
T
T
Nagai
J
J
Tanaka
J
J
D000328:Adult; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D002404:Catheterization; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography