Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula secondary to historic thoracic shrapnel injury: presenting features and interventional approach.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A chronic pulmonary arteriovenous fistula (PAVF) post penetrating thoracic injury is rare; this case demonstrates the presentation, diagnostic implications and a successful endovascular approach to close it.

Case presentation

We report the case of a rare pulmonary arteriovenous fistula in a 50-year-old man secondary to historic thoracic shrapnel injury. He had a positive bubble study on echocardiography; CT pulmonary angiogram identified a pulmonary arteriovenous fistula. He underwent successful repair with an endovascular approach.

Conclusion

PAVF can result from penetrating chest trauma. An intra-pulmonary shunt should be suspected in the setting of hypoxaemia refractory to oxygen therapy and when there is no evidence of an intra-cardiac shunt. Endovascul

SUBMITTER: Chiswell K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11996724 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature