Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula is a condition in which an abnormal connection (fistula) develops between an artery and vein in the lungs. As a result, blood passes through the lungs without receiving enough oxygen.
Alternative NamesArteriovenous malformation - pulmonary
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsPulmonary arteriovenous fistulas are usually the result of a genetic disease that causes the blood vessels of the lung to develop abnormally. Fistulas also can be a complication of liver disease.
Patients with Rendu-Osler-Weber disease (ROWD) -- also called hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasis (HHT) -- often have abnormal blood vessels in many parts of the body. These abnormal vessels can be in the lungs, brain, nasal passages, liver, and gastrointestinal organs. This condition is slightly more common in women than in men.
SymptomsMany people have no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they can include:
Other possible symptoms include:
Tests include:
A small number of patients who have no symptoms may not need specific treatment. For most patients with fistulas, the treatment of choice is to block the fistula during an arteriogram (embolization).
Some patients may need surgery to remove the abnormal vessels and nearby lung tissue.
Expectations (prognosis)The outlook for patients with HHT is not as good as for those without HHT. It is possible for the condition to come back after blocking the fistula (embolization).
Surgery to remove the abnormal vessels usually has a good outcome, and the condition is not likely to return.
ComplicationsMajor complications after treatment for this condition are unusual. Complications may include:
Call your health care provider if you often have nosebleeds or difficulty breathing, especially if you also have a history of HHT.
PreventionBecause this condition is often genetic, prevention is not usually possible.
ReferencesBernstein D. Other Congenital Heart and Vascular Malformations. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 432.
Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula is a condition in which an abnormal connection (fistula) develops between an artery and vein in the lungs. As a result, blood passes through the lungs without receiving enough oxygen.
Alternative NamesArteriovenous malformation - pulmonary
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsPulmonary arteriovenous fistulas are usually the result of a genetic (inherited) disease that causes the blood vessels of the lung to develop abnormally. Fistulas also can be a complication of liver disease.
Patients with Rendu-Osler-Weber disease (ROWD) -- also called hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasis (HHT) -- often have abnormal blood vessels in many parts of the body.
SymptomsMany people have no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they can include:
Other possible symptoms include:
Signs and testsTests include:
A small number of patients who have no symptoms may not need treatment. For most patients with fistulas, the treatment of choice is to block the fistula during an arteriogram(embolization).
Some patients may need surgery to remove the abnormal vessels and nearby lung tissue.
When arteriovenous fistulas are caused by liver disease, the treatment is a liver transplant.
Expectations (prognosis)The outlook for patients with HHT is not as good as for those without HHT. For patients with HHT, surgery to remove the abnormal vessels usually has a good outcome, and the condition is not likely to return.
ComplicationsMajor complications after treatment for this condition are unusual. Complications may include:
Call your health care provider if you often have nosebleeds or difficulty breathing, especially if you also have a history of HHT.
PreventionBecause this condition is often genetic, prevention is not usually possible.
ReferencesMarelli AJ. Congenital Heart disease in adults. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 68.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 09/15/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Denis Hadijiliadis, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
pulmonary arteriovenous fistula
Emile Holman has written: 'Abnormal arteriovenous communications' -- subject(s): Arteriovenous Fistula
35190
35190
35190
Using a stethoscope, a physician can detect the sound of a pulse in the affected vein (bruit). The sound is a distinctive to-and-fro sound. Dye into the blood can be tracked by x ray to confirm the presence of a fistula.
36830
33500 33501 is the correct answer for without cardiopulmonary bypass. 33500 is with a cardiopulmonary bypass.
A congenital arteriovenous fistula is one that formed during fetal development. It is a birth defect. In congenital fistulas, blood vessels of the lower extremity are more frequently involved than other areas of the body.
An AV fistula has proven to be the best kind of vascular access for people whose veins are large enough, not only because it lasts longer but it is also less likely than other types of access to form clots or become infected.
John L. Doppman has written: 'Selective arteriography of the spinal cord' -- subject(s): Arteriovenous Fistula, Blood-vessels, Radiography, Spinal cord
The CPT code 36810 is found in the section for "Arteriovenous fistula (e.g., anastomosis of cephalic vein to axillary artery) for hemodialysis, including all preoperative and postoperative services."