Background: Angiodysplastic lesions, including telangiectases and arteriovenous malformations, may affect the organs of many patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Abnormalities in transforming growth factor-β signaling and increased production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are thought to be responsible for HHT (1). Mucosal hemorrhage from nasopharyngeal and gastrointestinal angiodysplasia is common and is often resistant to conventional treatment. Hepatic arteriovenous malformations may cause arteriovenous shunting within the liver, ischemic hepatobiliary damage, and high-output cardiac failure (2). Liver transplantation may correct the liver complications and heart failure and may also cause regression of cutaneous arteriovenous malformations (spider nevi), probably through correction of estrogen metabolism. Transplantation is not known to induce regression of angiodysplasia elsewhere in the body or to reduce mucosal hemorrhage.

Case Report: A 53-year-old woman whose mother and 2 sisters have HHT was evaluated for jaundice, cachexia, and ascites. The patient had high-output cardiac failure from HHT with hepatic arteriovenous malformations. Over the previous 6 years she received multiple blood transfusions for occult gastrointestinal hemorrhage but remained consistently anemic (hemoglobin level of 80 g/L). Telangiectases were visible on her fingers, chest, lips, tongue, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. No cerebral arteriovenous malformations were present.