Malformación arteriovenosa pulmonar: Características clínicas, diagnóstico y rol del tratamiento quirúrgico en pacientes tratados con cirugía resectiva pulmonar

background: pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (pa vm) are rare and surgery has a role only in selected cases. our objectives are to describe clinical features, diagnostic methods and role of surgical treatment in patients with pa vm. methods: retrospective review of all patients with pa vm, in whom surgery was performed in our institution, from february 2005 to february 2010. the follow up controls were done through physician or telephone contact. results: 8 patients, six females (3:1), aged between 16-68 years were analyzed. most common sigiis and symptoms were dyspnea, cyanosis and clubbing. right lower lobe was the most frequent location. four had multiple pa vm and four met criteria for rendu-osler- weber disease. six patients had polycythemia and two anemia. radiography was abnormal in all and computed tomography defined anatomy in seven. angiography was performed in three, two had contrasted echocardiography and four had scintigraphy. most common surgical treatment was lobectomy. indications for surgery were the size of pa vm in five cases, failure of embolization in two and one because of intra-operative findings, without a previous diagrwsis. one had postoperative bleeding. discharge was between day 2 and 10 days after surgery. there was no mortality. at their last control all patients were asymptomatic. conclusion: pa vmpresents a wide and varied range of clinical and anatomical findings. they can cause major symptoms and serious complications, which justify their treatment. the preoperative study is based primarily on demonstrating the shunt and determining the anatomical characteristics of the lesion. in selected cases lung resection surgery is indicated.