Hemothorax due to rupture of pulmonary arteriovenous malformation: an interventional emergency.
Spontaneous hemothorax as a result of a ruptured pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) is a life-threatening event and requires immediate interventional therapy. We present two patients who survived following emergent embolization. Definitive thoracentesis was delayed until embolization was performed. The tamponade provided by the hemothorax may have prevented exsanguination, suggesting to us that drainage of blood from the pleural space should be delayed until the PAVM has been treated. Hemorrhage from a PAVM may be the first manifestation of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Genetic testing and screening for other family members should be considered.
Berg
Adam M
AM
Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8042, USA.
Amirbekian
Smbat
S
Mojibian
Hamid
H
Trow
Terence K
TK
Smith
Steven J
SJ
White
Robert I
RI
D000792:Angiography; D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015505:Chest Tubes; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed