Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation is a rare condition where an abnormal opening develops between an artery and vein in the lung, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath, blue skin, and decreased oxygen. Treatment involves surgery to close the opening. Mild cases may have no symptoms, but monitoring is recommended.
A pulmonary arteriovenous malformation is a relatively rare medical condition that causes an abnormal opening to develop between an artery and a vein within the lung. This causes some of the blood flowing through the lungs to pass without receiving a fresh supply of oxygen. Some of the potential symptoms of a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation include shortness of breath, a blue discoloration of the skin, and decreased amount of oxygen in the blood. Treatment usually involves the use of a surgical procedure designed to close the abnormal opening and allow adequate blood flow to resume. Any questions or concerns about pulmonary arteriovenous malformation or individualized treatment options should be discussed with a physician or other medical professional.
In milder cases, there are no obvious symptoms associated with the presence of a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation. As the opening begins to become larger, the patient may begin to develop mild to moderate shortness of breath, especially after any form of physical exertion. In some cases, dizziness or fever may be present, and moderate to severe headaches may occur. The skin may start to turn blue and the patient may start coughing up small amounts of blood. Certain types of medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, should not be taken by patients with this condition due to an increased risk of bleeding.
Blood tests done on those with a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation usually show an increase in the number of red blood cells. Further tests may indicate a reduced amount of oxygen in the blood, a symptom that can have adverse effects on all tissues and organs in the body. On rare occasions, a physical deformity known as clubbing may be present. Symptoms of pulmonary arteriovenous malformation such as extreme difficulty breathing, fainting, or a sudden and severe weakness involving the arms and legs should be reported to a doctor immediately.
If symptoms of a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation are mild or nonexistent, a doctor may choose to simply monitor the condition. Medical treatment may be required if symptoms begin to interfere with a patient’s quality of life or present significant health risks. The standard treatment for a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation is surgery to repair the deformity. The patient will likely be monitored and diagnostic tests performed periodically after surgery to ensure that the malformation has not returned.
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