title: Atrial fibrillation and right bundle branch block complicating coil embolization of a huge pulmonary arterio-venous malformation.
abstract: Coil embolization is a safe therapy for pulmonary arterio-venous malformations (PAVMs). We report the case of a 72-year-old woman affected by hereditary hemorrhagic teleangectasia who experienced right bundle branch block and atrial fibrillation 36 hours after embolization of an extended PAVM. To our knowledge, this is the first case of such a complication of embolization of a pulmonary fistula, presumably due to an acute pressure overload on both the right atrium and ventricle. This case report suggests that, after embolization of extended pulmonary fistulas, patients should be carefully monitored for rhythm disturbance and new onset of intraventricular conduction defects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Sapienza University-Policlinico Umberto I-Rome, Italy. m.colotto@policlinicoumberto1.it
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colotto
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Da Ros
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barbarossa
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Renzi
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vinci
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Coletta
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Maria Salvatori
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology*; D002037:Bundle-Branch Block / Q000209:etiology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography