Transcatheter embolotherapy of maternal pulmonary arteriovenous malformations during pregnancy

Chest. 2001 Feb;119(2):470-7. doi: 10.1378/chest.119.2.470.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arteriovenous Malformations / therapy*
  • Embolization, Therapeutic*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / therapy*
  • Pulmonary Artery / abnormalities*
  • Pulmonary Veins / abnormalities*