Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula (patient information)

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula
Overview
What are the symptoms?
What are the causes?
Who is at highest risk?
Diagnosis
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Where to find medical care for Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula?
Prevention
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Possible complications
Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula On the Web
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FDA on Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula
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Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula in the news
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Directions to Hospitals Treating Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula
Risk calculators and risk factors for Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula

Overview

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.

What causes Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula?

Pulmonary 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.