Intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunt: diagnosis by saline contrast bubbles in the pulmonary veins

J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2002 Sep;15(9):1012-4. doi: 10.1067/mje.2002.121435.

Abstract

A 54-year-old man with end-stage cirrhosis of the liver presented for evaluation of dyspnea. Intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunting was suspected. Transthoracic echocardiography with agitated saline contrast injection from the right antecubital vein was performed. Late arrival of saline contrast bubbles in the left atrium by pulmonary veins leading to complete left heart opacification confirmed the diagnosis of significant intrapulmonary shunting. This case and images illustrate the use of agitated saline contrast in combination with transthoracic echocardiography for the diagnosis of intrapulmonary arteriovenous fistula.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Arteriovenous Fistula / complications
  • Arteriovenous Fistula / diagnosis*
  • Coronary Circulation
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Echocardiography / methods*
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / complications
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Artery / abnormalities*
  • Pulmonary Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Veins / abnormalities*
  • Pulmonary Veins / diagnostic imaging
  • Sodium Chloride

Substances

  • Sodium Chloride