Sunday, March 08, 2009

HHT and stroke (aka Osler Weber Rendu s)

Felix S et al., Neurology 2008; 71: 2012-2013.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare aut dom disease caused by one of 2 mutations, designated HHT1 and HHT2. The mutations are in the ENG and ALK1 genes. Diagnosis required 3 of the following 4: spontaneous epistaxis, cutaneous telangiectasias. av malformations of the interior organs and positive family history. Complications are anemia, portal hypertension, hypoxemia, brain abscess and stroke.

Authors of a case report demonstrate occurrence of a stroke after embolization of the pulmonary artery venous malformation. Authors note the need to check platelet function prior to using antiplatelet drugs in patients with HHT for prevention before endovascular procedures.

MRI may show lots of tiny hemorrhages.

Recommendation is to screen relatives

notes
avm rupture can cause paradoxical pulmonary fistula
conjunctival
lung liver gi and brain

stroke is due to paradoxical emboli across the PAVM
rarely due to anemia, hypoxia or air emboli

PAVM are most concerning if larger than 2 cm

signs and symptoms
epistaxis long precedes telangiectasias
Dyspnea is second most common symptoms
Hemoptysis is third most
others  clubbing cyanosis,GI bleeds in the over 58, less often chest pain and syncope
can auscultate a murmur over the PAVM in about half

Neurologic symptoms are present in about half including confusion, syncope, paresis, headache and vertigo especially

Migraines 43 percent
TIA   37 percent
stroke  18 percent
brain abscess in 9 percent
seizure 8 percent

more with advancing age

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