National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation


Other Names:
PAVM; Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula; Pulmonary AVM; PAVM; Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula; Pulmonary AVM; Arteriovenous malformation, pulmonary See More
Subtypes:
Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) is a condition that affects blood flow between the heart and the lungs. Affected people have an abnormal connection between the pulmonary vein (carries blood from the lungs to the heart) and pulmonary artery (carries blood from the heart to the lungs). As a result, blood may not be properly oxygenated by the lungs. Some affected people may have no signs or symptoms of the condition. When present, symptoms may include difficulty breathing, nosebleeds, shortness of breath, difficulty exercising, and blue skin. Most people with PAVM have an inherited condition called hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, which is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Other conditions that are less commonly associated with PAVM include liver disease (mainly liver cirrhosis), certain forms of congenital heart disease, chronic infections, and metastatic thyroid cancer. Treatment varies based on the severity of the condition and the associated signs and symptoms. When necessary, treatment typically includes embolization, surgery, and/or addressing associated conditions.[1][2][3]
Last updated: 5/25/2016

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Patient Registry

  • A registry supports research by collecting of information about patients that share something in common, such as being diagnosed with Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation. The type of data collected can vary from registry to registry and is based on the goals and purpose of that registry. Some registries collect contact information while others collect more detailed medical information. Learn more about registries.

    Registries for Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation:
    CHD GENES Study
     

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

Social Networking Websites

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • MedlinePlus was designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, and it provides more information about this topic.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Selected Full-Text Journal Articles

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  1. Shovlin CL. Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. December 2014; 190(11):1217-1228.
  2. Barry A Love, MD. Pulmonary Arteriovenous Fistulae. Medscape Reference. January 2015; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/900681-overview.
  3. Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula. MedlinePlus. August 2014; https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001090.htm.