Study objectives: To determine if transcatheter embolotherapy is safe and effective for the treatment of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations during pregnancy.
Design: Prospective study.
Setting: Specialized hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia centers at Yale University School of Medicine and St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto.
Patients: Seven pregnant women (age range, 24 to 34 years; gestational age range, 16 to 36 weeks) undergoing transcatheter embolotherapy.
Interventions: Transcatheter embolotherapy in all patients.
Measurements and results: Thirteen pulmonary arteriovenous malformations in seven patients were embolized with detachable silicone balloons and/or stainless steel coils without incident. The estimated fetal radiation dose ranged from < 50 to 220 mrad. No complications of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations occurred in any of the patients after transcatheter embolotherapy. The mothers went on to deliver healthy babies in all cases.
Conclusions: Transcatheter embolotherapy of maternal pulmonary arteriovenous malformations performed by an experienced radiologist appears to be safe and effective after 16 weeks of gestational age.