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. 2015 Jan;3(1):27-30.
doi: 10.1159/000368969.

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation as a cause of embolic stroke: case report and review of the literature

Sabrina Anticoli  1 , Francesca Romana Pezzella  1 , Antonio Siniscalchi  2 , Luca Gallelli  3 , Maria Cristina Bravi  4
Affiliations

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation as a cause of embolic stroke: case report and review of the literature

Sabrina Anticoli et al. Interv Neurol. 2015 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) is an abnormal communication between pulmonary arteries and veins responsible for right-to-left shunting that could induce the development of embolic stroke.

Summary: We describe an 82-year-old woman without history of respiratory or neurological diseases, who presented at our observation unit with acute onset of cerebral ischemia. Clinical, laboratory and radiological findings diagnosed a PAVM.

Key messages: Usually, endovascular procedures based on embolization or, alternatively, surgery represent the recommended treatment. However, both hormonal therapy and thrombolytic therapy can be used. In our patient, treatment with warfarin induced a remission of symptoms. This strategy should be tested in larger studies.

Keywords: Acute cerebral ischemia; Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation; Warfarin.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Three-dimensional reconstructions using a volume-rendering technique demonstrate PAVM in the lower zone of the lingula (arrows in a and b).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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