Successful Antenatal Embolization of a Complex Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy: A Case Report
<b>Background:</b> A pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) is an abnormal connection between the pulmonary arterial and venous systems, resulting in a pathologic right-to-left shunt. PAVMs worsen during pregnancy due to physiologic changes, yet no treatment guidelines exist for newly diagnosed PAVMs in pregnancy.<b>Case:</b> We report a case of a previously asymptomatic 19-year-old G1 who was incidentally found to have a low oxygen saturation during routine prenatal care at 34 5/7 weeks of gestation. She was diagnosed with a complex, left-sided PAVM. Through the close collaboration of the interventional radiology and high-risk obstetric teams, antenatal embolization was successfully performed, allowing for the prolongation of pregnancy. The patient experienced spontaneous rupture of membranes at 36 1/7 weeks and underwent a successful Cesarean delivery at this time.<b>Conclusion:</b> Embolization of a complex PAVM in the third trimester of pregnancy was successfully and safely achieved by a skilled multidisciplinary team. In comparable clinical scenarios, clinicians should carefully assess maternal and fetal risks-such as neonatal prematurity, radiation exposure, and PAVM-related complications-to guide optimal management.
Authors
- Anastasia Navitski
- Spencer Summers (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4964-0992)
- Susan Fields (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3647-991X)
- Arthur M. Freedman
- Padmashree Woodham (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6942-2074)
- Taylor Pigg
Institutions
- WellStar Health System (US)
- Augusta University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
- Published
- 2025-09-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1177/15385744251375349
- Primary Topic
- Vascular Anomalies and Treatments
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00