Contemporary role of minimally invasive thoracic surgery in the management of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations: report of two cases and review of the literature

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVM) can have potentially serious neurological and cardiac consequences if left untreated. Embolization has supplanted surgical resection as the first line treatment modality. However, this technique is not always successful and carries risks of air embolism, migration of the coil, myocardial rupture, vascular injury, pulmonary hypertension, and pulmonary infarction. We present two patients with symptomatic PAVM despite multiple embolizations: the first one with recurrent and persistent hemoptysis who underwent a thoracoscopic lobectomy, and the second one with chronic debilitating pleuritic pain subsequent to embolization who underwent a thoracoscopic wedge resection. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with lung resection was successfully performed in both patients, with complete resolution of their symptoms. We also review the literature regarding the contemporary role of surgery in PAVM, particularly thoracoscopy.