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Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome - Treatment

Alternative Names

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

Treatment:

Surgey is needed to treat bleeding in some areas. Frequent or heavy nosebleeds may be treated with electrocautery or laser surgery.

Endovascular embolization may be needed to treat abnormal blood vessels in the brain and other parts of the body.

Some patients respond to estrogen therapy, which can reduce bleeding episodes. Blood-thinning medications should be avoided. Some patients may need to take antibiotics before having dental work or surgery. Ask your doctor what precautions you should take.

Support Groups:

HHT Foundation International -- www.hht.org

Expectations (prognosis):

Unless there is life-threatening intracranial hemorrhage, persons with this syndrome can live a completely normal lifespan.

Complications:

Internal bleeding
Heart failure
Shortness of breath
High blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension)

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if your child has frequent nose bleeds or other signs of this disease.

Circulatory system

Reviewed last on: 5/16/2007
Brian Kirmse, MD, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

References

Azuma H: Genetic and molecular pathogenesis of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. J Med Invest. 2000 Aug; 47(3-4): 81-90.

Faughnan ME, Hyland RH, Nanthakumar K, Redelmeier DA: Screening in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia patients. Chest. 2000 Aug; 118(2): 566-7.

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