Pulmonary Arteriovenous Fistula

When symptoms such as shortness of breath or a bluish tinge to the skin appear without an obvious cause, a pulmonary arteriovenous fistula may be investigated. This is an abnormal connection between an artery and a vein inside the lung that allows blood to bypass its normal passage through lung tissue.

How it presents: It may go unnoticed or cause difficulty breathing, bluish coloring of the lips and fingers, or bleeding; in some cases it is associated with inherited disorders of the blood vessels.

Which specialist treats it? The vascular surgeon and other professionals in the cardiopulmonary field evaluate this type of blood vessel abnormality.

When to seek care? In the face of persistent breathing difficulty or unexplained bluish coloring, it's advisable to bring the case to a professional for a detailed workup.