Actionability Assertions

Gene Condition (MONDO ID) OMIM ID Final Assertion
ENG telangiectasia, hereditary hemorrhagic, type 1 (0008535) 187300 Moderate Actionability
ACVRL1 telangiectasia, hereditary hemorrhagic, type 2 (0010880) 600376 Moderate Actionability
SMAD4 juvenile polyposis/hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia syndrome (0008278) 175050 Moderate Actionability

Actionability Assertion Rationale

  • All experts agree with the computed assertion of moderate as data concerning the strength of evidence for the effectiveness of interventions are currently limited and there is a lack of evidence of likelihood in an unselected population. Note: The assertion of moderate for the SMAD4 gene is for both the JPS (juvenile polyposis syndrome) and HHT (hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia) phenotypes. SMAD4 was evaluated separately for JPS and HHT and the AWG landed on an assertion of strong for both, though we acknowledge there are no well-established genotype-phenotype correlations for SMAD4 to delineate between the phenotypes. 

Actionability Scores

Outcome / Intervention Pair Severity Likelihood Effectiveness Nature of Intervention Total Score
Morbidity and mortality from AVMs / Evaluation and surveillance by specialist to guide treatment 2 3N 2B 2 9NB
View scoring key
Domain of Actionability Scoring Metric State of the Knowledgebase
Severity: What is the nature of the threat to health to an individual? 3 = Sudden death as a reasonably possible outcome
2 = Reasonable possibility of death or major morbidity
1 = Modest morbidity
0 = Minimal or no morbidity
N/A
Likelihood: What is the chance that the outcome will occur? 3 = >40% chance
2 = 5%-39% chance
1 = 1%-4% chance
0 = <1% chance
A = Substantial evidence or evidence from a high tier (tier 1)
B = Moderate evidence or evidence from a moderate tier (tier 2)
C = Minimal evidence or evidence from a lower tier (tier 3 or 4)
D = Poor evidence or evidence not provided in the report
N = Evidence based on expert contributions (tier 5)
Effectiveness: What is the effectiveness of a specific intervention in preventing or diminishing the risk of harm? 3 = Highly effective
2 = Moderately effective
1 = Minimally effective
0 = Controversial or unknown effectiveness
IN = Ineffective/No interventiona
A = Substantial evidence or evidence from a high tier (tier 1)
B = Moderate evidence or evidence from a moderate tier (tier 2)
C = Minimal evidence or evidence from a lower tier (tier 3 or 4)
D = Poor evidence or evidence not provided in the report
N = Evidence based on expert contributions (tier 5)
Nature of intervention: How risky, medically burdensome, or intensive is the intervention? 3 = Low risk, or medically acceptable and low intensity
2 = Moderate risk, moderately acceptable or intensive
1 = Greater risk, less acceptable and substantial intensity
0 = High risk, poorly acceptable or intensive
N/A
a Do not score the remaining categories

Prevalence of the Genetic Condition

The estimated prevalence of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) ranges from 1/10,000 to 1/5000.
View Citations

Faughnan ME, et al. (2020) PMID: 32894695, Faughnan ME, et al. (2011) PMID: 19553198, McDonald J, et al. (1993) PMID: 20301525, Online Medelian Inheritance in Man. (2019) OMIM: 600376, Plauchu H. (2016) URL: www.orpha.net., Robard L, et al. (2017) PMID: 27986467, Silvain C, et al. (2020) PMID: 32276767, Eker OF, et al. (2020) PMID: 32600364, Northup PG, et al. (2021) PMID: 33219529

Clinical Features (Signs / symptoms)

HHT is characterized by the presence of multiple arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) that lack intervening capillaries and result in direct connections between arteries and veins. AVMs occur most commonly in the brain, lung, and liver, but can also occur in the spine and pancreas. Telangiectasias (small AVMs) close to the surface of the skin and mucous membranes often rupture and bleed after slight trauma and are most evident on the lips, tongue, buccal, nasal and gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa, face, and fingers. Telangiectasias typically appear as pinpoint to pinhead-size lesions and it is typical for patients to have only ten to 20 on careful examination. They are common in adulthood throughout the GI mucosa. Recurrent and spontaneous epistaxis (nosebleed) is the most common symptom of HHT and is the most common feature to bring individuals with HHT to medical attention. It is caused by minor insults from drying air and repeated minor abrasions to the fragile nasal mucosa. Epistasis and/or GI bleeding can cause mild to severe anemia, often requiring iron replacement therapy or blood transfusion. Visceral AVMs are usually asymptomatic but can lead to complications that produce highly variable manifestations. Cerebrovascular symptoms can include headache, focal neurologic deficit, or seizures.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) that is clinically and histologically indistinguishable from primary PAH has been reported in a subset of patients with HHT due to pathogenic variants in ACVRL1 and ENG. [This phenotype is addressed in this actionability report]

Patients with pathogenic variants in the SMAD4 gene are usually affected by a rare syndrome that combines HHT and juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS). Myhre syndrome is not addressed in this actionability report. [JPS is addressed in a separate actionability report]

PAWG JPS report link: https://actionability.clinicalgenome.org/ac/Pediatric/ui/stg2SummaryRpt?doc=AC066

AAWG JPS report link: https://actionability.clinicalgenome.org/ac/Adult/ui/stg2SummaryRpt?doc=AC066
View Citations

Faughnan ME, et al. (2020) PMID: 32894695, Faughnan ME, et al. (2011) PMID: 19553198, McDonald J, et al. (1993) PMID: 20301525, Online Medelian Inheritance in Man. (2019) OMIM: 600376, Plauchu H. (2016) URL: www.orpha.net., Robard L, et al. (2017) PMID: 27986467, Silvain C, et al. (2020) PMID: 32276767, Eker OF, et al. (2020) PMID: 32600364, Northup PG, et al. (2021) PMID: 33219529, Brinjikji W, et al. (2017) PMID: 27767404, Online Medelian Inheritance in Man. (2018) OMIM: 175050, Online Medelian Inheritance in Man. (2019) OMIM: 187300, Pattathu J, et al. (2016) PMID: 27053696

Natural History (Important subgroups & survival / recovery)

Although HHT is a progressive multisystemic vascular dysplasia and infants are occasionally severely affected, in most people the features are age-dependent. AVMs of the brain are typically present at birth, whereas those in the lung and liver typically develop over time. Complications related to large AVMs are bleeding or shunting which may be sudden and catastrophic. Hemorrhage is often the presenting symptom of cerebral AVMs (CAVMs). Cerebrovascular abnormalities span multiple different lesions that differ in hemorrhagic risk and preponderance. Cerebrovascular malformations at higher risk of bleeding (AV fistulas or giant aneurysms) are those found almost exclusively in newborns, probably because of the low survival rate. Most patients report the appearance of telangiectasia of the mouth, face, or hands 5-30 years after the onset of nose bleeds, most commonly during the third decade, though their appearance can be apparent during childhood. The average age at diagnosis of anemia is 38 years. GI bleeding, when present, usually presents in the 5th or 6th decades of life. Patients rarely develop significant GI bleeding before 50 years of age. GI bleeding occurs more frequently for females compared to men, in a ratio of 2-3:1. Hepatic AVMs typically appear around age 30, occurring predominantly in females, and can present as high-output heart failure, portal hypertension, or biliary ischemia. Pulmonary AVMs (PAVMs) present with a wide variety of clinical manifestations including dyspnea or hypoxemia; but even in asymptomatic individuals they pose a significant risk of serious complications including stroke, transient ischemic attacks, and brain abscess. Life expectancy is reduced in unscreened patients. Pregnancy-related death has been reported and is a particular risk for individuals with PAVMs.
View Citations

Faughnan ME, et al. (2020) PMID: 32894695, Faughnan ME, et al. (2011) PMID: 19553198, McDonald J, et al. (1993) PMID: 20301525, Plauchu H. (2016) URL: www.orpha.net., Eker OF, et al. (2020) PMID: 32600364, Northup PG, et al. (2021) PMID: 33219529

Description of sources of evidence:

Tier 1: Evidence from a systematic review or a meta-analysis or clinical practice guideline clearly based on a systematic review.
Tier 2: Evidence from clinical practice guidelines or broad-based expert consensus with non-systematic evidence review.
Tier 3: Evidence from another source with non-systematic review of evidence with primary literature cited.
Tier 4: Evidence from another source with non-systematic review of evidence with no citations to primary data sources.
Tier 5: Evidence from a non-systematically identified source.

Mode of Inheritance

Autosomal Dominant
View Citations

Faughnan ME, et al. (2020) PMID: 32894695, Faughnan ME, et al. (2011) PMID: 19553198, McDonald J, et al. (1993) PMID: 20301525, Online Medelian Inheritance in Man. (2019) OMIM: 600376, Plauchu H. (2016) URL: www.orpha.net., Robard L, et al. (2017) PMID: 27986467, Silvain C, et al. (2020) PMID: 32276767, Eker OF, et al. (2020) PMID: 32600364, Northup PG, et al. (2021) PMID: 33219529, Brinjikji W, et al. (2017) PMID: 27767404, Online Medelian Inheritance in Man. (2018) OMIM: 175050, Online Medelian Inheritance in Man. (2019) OMIM: 187300

Prevalence of Genetic Variants

Unknown
Information on the prevalence of HHT-related pathogenic variants was unavailable. In 97% of patients with a definite clinical diagnosis of HHT, a causative pathogenic variant is identified in one of these genes: ENG, ACVRL1, SMAD4. Pathogenic variants in SMAD4 account for 1% of patients with HHT.
Tier 3 View Citations

Faughnan ME, et al. (2020) PMID: 32894695, McDonald J, et al. (1993) PMID: 20301525

Penetrance (Includes any high-risk racial or ethnic subgroups)

>= 40 %
Overall penetrance is approximately 95% by late adulthood.
Tier 4 View Citations

McDonald J, et al. (1993) PMID: 20301525

5-39 %
A meta-analysis of 39 studies of CAVM prevalence rates in various HHT patient populations (excluding JPS/HHT syndrome) found an overall prevalence rate of CAVMs of 10.4% (95% CI 7.9-13.0%). Patients with ENG-related HHT had significantly higher prevalence (13.4%, 95% CI 9.5%-17.4%) compared with those with ACVRL1-related HHT (2.4%; 95% CI 1.0%-3.8%) (p<0.0001). In 55.2% (95% CI 38.3-72.1%) of patients, the AVMs were symptomatic. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of CAVMs in pediatric (12.2%; 95% CI 6.0-18.3%) and adult patients (9.0%; 95% CI 7.2-10.8%) (p=0.08).
Tier 1 View Citations

Brinjikji W, et al. (2017) PMID: 27767404

>= 40 %
A French-Italian HHT network examined the frequency of manifestations among 343 patients including 135 probands and 208 relatives with ENG or ACVRL1 pathogenic variants (mean age of 50).

Among those with an ENG pathogenic variant the frequency of manifestations were:

• Epistaxis: 97%

• Telangiectasias: 98%

• Pulmonary AVM: 54%

• Hepatic AVM: 44%

• GI bleeding: 7%

Among those with an ACVRL1 pathogenic variant the frequency of manifestations were:

• Epistaxis: 89%

• Telangiectasias: 93%

• Pulmonary AVM: 13%

• Hepatic AVM: 57%

• GI bleeding: 16%

Tier 5 View Citations

Lesca G, et al. (2007) PMID: 17224686

>= 40 %
A retrospective review from 5 clinical centers identified 34 individuals with SMAD4 pathogenic variants from 20 families with a mean age of 35.1 years. Features associated with HHT were documented in 76% of individuals. Five of eight (63%) of individuals under the age of 21 had HHT features.

• Epistaxis: 61%

• Telangiectasias: 48%

• Pulmonary AVM: 53%

• Cerebral AVM: 4%

• Hepatic AVM: 38%

• Colon polyps: 97%

Tier 5 View Citations

Wain KE, et al. (2014) PMID: 24525918

>= 40 %
A retrospective, single center, 14-year longitudinal study in a pediatric population found that the prevalence of PAVMs was 40 in 62 (65%) in those with ENG pathogenic variants, 2 in 11 (18%) in those with ACVRL1 pathogenic variants, and 1 in 4 (25%) in those with SMAD4 pathogenic variants.
Tier 5 View Citations

Mowers KL, et al. (2018) PMID: 29916764

1-4 %
The prevalence of cerebral hemorrhage among individuals with HHT has been reported as 1.6-3.5% and 0.4-1.1% in individuals with pathogenic variants in ENG and ACVRL1, respectively.
Tier 3 View Citations

Eker OF, et al. (2020) PMID: 32600364

>= 40 %
Epistaxis has an average age of onset of approximately 12 years; 33% have onset by age ten years, approximately 80% by age 20 years, and 90% before age 30 years.
Tier 3 View Citations

McDonald J, et al. (1993) PMID: 20301525

5-39 %
The frequency of PAH in individuals with HHT has been estimated to be 1-5%.
Tier 4 View Citations

McDonald J, et al. (1993) PMID: 20301525

Relative Risk (Includes any high-risk racial or ethnic subgroups)

Unknown
No information on relative risk was identified.

Expressivity

There may be marked intrafamilial clinical variations or among individuals who carry the same pathogenic variant.
Tier 3 View Citations

Silvain C, et al. (2020) PMID: 32276767

Epistaxis has an age-related expression, as does the appearance of the typical telangiectasia.
Tier 3 View Citations

Faughnan ME, et al. (2020) PMID: 32894695

The proportion of persons with a pathogenic variant in SMAD4 who manifest HHT only is unknown, but all pathogenic variants in SMAD4 most likely put individuals at risk for manifestations of both JPS & HHT.
Tier 3 View Citations

McDonald J, et al. (1993) PMID: 20301525

PAH has occurred most in individuals with pathogenic variants in ACVRL1 (some of whom have no feature of HHT) but has also been reported in individuals with pathogenic variants in ENG.
Tier 3 View Citations

McDonald J, et al. (1993) PMID: 20301525, Pattathu J, et al. (2016) PMID: 27053696

Description of sources of evidence:

Tier 1: Evidence from a systematic review or a meta-analysis or clinical practice guideline clearly based on a systematic review.
Tier 2: Evidence from clinical practice guidelines or broad-based expert consensus with non-systematic evidence review.
Tier 3: Evidence from another source with non-systematic review of evidence with primary literature cited.
Tier 4: Evidence from another source with non-systematic review of evidence with no citations to primary data sources.
Tier 5: Evidence from a non-systematically identified source.

Patient Management

Individuals with SMAD4 pathogenic variants should also be evaluated for JPS. [JPS is addressed in a separate actionability report]
View Citations

Faughnan ME, et al. (2020) PMID: 32894695

HHT-related epistaxis recommendations include:

• Using moisturizing topical therapies that humidify the nasal mucosa to reduce epistaxis. Topical saline has been shown to reduce epistaxis severity score compared with baseline in an RCT of topical therapies.

• Packing with material or products that have a low likelihood of causing rebleeding with removal (e.g., lubricated low-pressure pneumatic packing) for acute epistaxis requiring intervention

• All adults and children with HHT and recurrent bleeding and/or symptoms of anemia should be tested for iron deficiency anemia. Testing typically includes complete blood count and ferritin measurement. Iron supplementation is recommended for treatment of iron deficiency.

• Referring patients with epistaxis and who desire treatment to otorhinolaryngologists with HHT expertise for evaluation.

• Additional treatments that can be considered (such as tranexamic acid and antiangiogenic therapies) if less intensive treatment is not successful in managing epistaxis.

• When considering nasal surgery for reasons other than epistaxis, consultation should be obtained from an otorhinolaryngologists with expertise in HHT-related epistaxis.

Tier 2 View Citations

Faughnan ME, et al. (2020) PMID: 32894695, Faughnan ME, et al. (2011) PMID: 19553198

It is recommended that adults with HHT presenting with acute hemorrhage secondary to CAVM be considered for definitive treatment in a center with neurovascular expertise. Management approaches for CAVMs should rely on expert discussions on a case-by-case basis and individual risk-benefit evaluation of all therapeutic possibilities for a specific lesion (neurosurgery, embolization, stereotactic radiosurgery).
Tier 2 View Citations

Faughnan ME, et al. (2020) PMID: 32894695, Faughnan ME, et al. (2011) PMID: 19553198, Eker OF, et al. (2020) PMID: 32600364

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is recommended as the first-line diagnostic test for suspected HHT-related GI bleeding. Several cross-sectional studies of diagnostic yield demonstrated a high yield from EGD for upper GI telangiectasias in adult patients with HHT and suspected GI bleeding.
Tier 2 View Citations

Faughnan ME, et al. (2020) PMID: 32894695

Diagnostic testing for hepatic VMs is recommended in patients with symptoms and/or signs suggestive of complicated hepatic VMs (including heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, abnormal cardiac biomarkers, abnormal liver function tests, abdominal pain, portal hypertension, or encephalopathy), using Doppler ultrasound, multiphase contrast CT scan, or contrast abdominal MRI. Symptomatic patients should be managed at a specialized center with a multidisciplinary team.
Tier 2 View Citations

Faughnan ME, et al. (2020) PMID: 32894695, Faughnan ME, et al. (2011) PMID: 19553198, Silvain C, et al. (2020) PMID: 32276767, Northup PG, et al. (2021) PMID: 33219529

Individuals with documented PAVMs, treated or untreated, should be advised to have antibiotic prophylaxis for procedures with risk of bacteremia and, when IV access is in place, to take extra care to avoid IV air.
Tier 2 View Citations

Faughnan ME, et al. (2020) PMID: 32894695, Faughnan ME, et al. (2011) PMID: 19553198, Robard L, et al. (2017) PMID: 27986467

It is recommended that pregnant people not recently screened and/or treated for PAVM be approached as follows:

• In asymptomatic patients, perform initial PAVM screening using either agitated saline transthoracic contrast echocardiography (TTCE) or low-dose non-contrast chest CT, depending on local expertise. Chest CT, when performed, should be done early in the second trimester.

• In patients with symptoms suggestive of PAVM, perform diagnostic testing using low-dose non-contrast chest CT. This testing can be performed at any gestational age.

• PAVMs should be treated starting in the second trimester unless otherwise clinically indicated.

Tier 2 View Citations

Faughnan ME, et al. (2020) PMID: 32894695

Additional care recommendations for pregnant people include:

• unenhanced MRI in those with symptoms suggestive of CAVMs

• those with asymptomatic CAVM during pregnancy should have definitive treatment of their CAVM deferred until after delivery of their fetus

• management at a tertiary care center by a multidisciplinary team if they have untreated PAVMs and/or CAVMs or have not been recently screened for PAVMs.

Tier 2 View Citations

Faughnan ME, et al. (2020) PMID: 32894695, Faughnan ME, et al. (2011) PMID: 19553198

Individuals with pathogenic variants in ACVRL1 or ENG (including children) should receive education on the symptoms of PAH and the recommendation to seek clinical evaluation if they develop symptoms.
Tier 2 View Citations

Pattathu J, et al. (2016) PMID: 27053696

Surveillance

Patients should be referred to a reference center for annual follow-up.
Tier 2 View Citations

Robard L, et al. (2017) PMID: 27986467

Guidelines differ regarding CAVM screening in HHT. One guideline states that the current evidence base does not favor the treatment of unruptured CAVMs. An international guideline recommends that patients with HHT be screened for cerebral vascular malformations (CVMs) and that screening is recommended in the first 6 months of life (or at time of diagnosis) with unenhanced MRI in asymptomatic children, and in an adult patient at age 18 using MRI with and without contrast. Another guideline states that all patients with HHT should have the opportunity to discuss screening issues with their healthcare provider, and that screening discussions in asymptomatic individuals should be preceded by informed pre-test review of the latest evidence regarding preventative and therapeutic efficacies of any interventions. The possibility of harm due to detection or intervention on a vascular malformation that would not have necessarily caused any consequence in later life should be stated explicitly. Those screening positive for CAVM should be referred to a center with neurovascular expertise to be considered for invasive testing and individualized management. There is no evidence for any role of repeat MRI screening in adults after an initial negative study. No published studies of the specific efficacy or safety of any form of treatment of CAVMs in HHT patients were identified. Results of a randomized trial of Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous malformations (ARUBA) trial indicated that individuals who were randomized to medical management alone (pharmacologic therapy for neurologic symptoms as needed) compared to medical management with interventional therapy (surgery, embolization, radiotherapy, alone or in combination) had a significantly decreased risk of death or stroke (hazard ratio 0.27, 95% CI 0.14–0.54). This trial included 223 randomized adult patients (not known to have HHT) with a mean follow-up of 33.3 months. Interventional therapy led to a higher number of strokes (45 vs 12, p<0·0001) and neurological deficits unrelated to stroke (14 vs 1, p=0·0008) in patients allocated to interventional therapy. However, the main goal of treatment should be to achieve full AVM occlusion (since partial occlusion does not reduce but increases risk of hemorrhage) and a complete occlusion was achieved in a small minority of patients in the ARUBA trial. There is no evidence that natural history or treatment risks are higher in CAVMs associated with HHT than the general population. The risk of hemorrhagic complication across all cerebrovascular malformations in HHT is estimated to be < 1% per year. Although the prevalence of CAVMs is higher than in the general population, in HHT patients unruptured AVMs may present a lower risk of rupture.
Tier 2 View Citations

Faughnan ME, et al. (2020) PMID: 32894695, Faughnan ME, et al. (2011) PMID: 19553198, Eker OF, et al. (2020) PMID: 32600364

Patients with HHT should be screened PAVMs using transthoracic contrast echocardiography (TTCE). Screening should be performed at the time of initial clinical evaluation to identify patients appropriate for treatment. In asymptomatic children, repeat screening should be performed at 5-year intervals. In adults with negative initial screening, repeat screening should be considered every 5-10 years, within 5 years preceding a planned pregnancy, or after pregnancy. Embolization has been shown in several non-controlled series to be efficacious and have shown high rates of immediate technical success. Longer term, reperfusion did occur in up to 15% of patients and growth of small PAVMs in up to 18%.
Tier 2 View Citations

Faughnan ME, et al. (2020) PMID: 32894695, Faughnan ME, et al. (2011) PMID: 19553198

A retrospective, single center, 14-year longitudinal study assessed prevalence, clinical impact, and progression of PAVMs in 129 children diagnosed with HHT using Curacao criteria and/or confirmed by genetic testing (77 had a pathogenic variant in ENG, ACVRL1 or SMAD4 out of 80 children tested). Mean age of PAVM detection was approximately nine years. Of the 129 children, 76 (59%) were found to have PAVMs (88% of those were found on initial screening). Of the 63 children w/out PAVMs on initial screening, 31 were followed for >1 year. Nine of the 31 (29%) developed new PAVMs after initial negative study (mean time to detection = 5.6 years). Thirty-eight (50%) of the total 76 children with PAVMs had or developed lesions large enough to be treated w/embolization. The majority, 60% (20/38) of children w/large PAVMs had no related clinical symptoms. After embolization, 21% (8/38) of patients underwent repeat interventions. Primary reason for repeat intervention was reperfusion to the previously embolized PAVMs. No children suffered complications from having a PAVM embolized.
Tier 5 View Citations

Mowers KL, et al. (2018) PMID: 29916764

Guidelines for the screening for hepatic VMs varies. One guideline states that asymptomatic hepatic VMs do not warrant therapy or imaging surveillance. Another recommends screening for hepatic VMs be offered to adults, ideally with Doppler ultrasonography, or alternatively multiphase contrast CT or MRI. Several cross-sectional diagnostic studies demonstrated high yield and accuracy of Doppler ultrasonography, multiphase contrast computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detection of hepatic VMs. Determining severity of hepatic VM can be useful to tailor management and follow-up. In a prospective cohort study of 154 patients (mean age 48 years, range 7-82) with HHT and hepatic VMs undergoing surveillance 8 (5.2%) died of hepatic VM-related complications. There were 2 deaths in the 13 patients (15%) who were symptomatic at the baseline evaluation, and there were 6 deaths in the 141 patients (4%) who were asymptomatic at baseline; this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.28).
Tier 2 View Citations

Faughnan ME, et al. (2020) PMID: 32894695, Silvain C, et al. (2020) PMID: 32276767, Northup PG, et al. (2021) PMID: 33219529

Individuals with pathogenic variants in ACVRL1 or ENG (including children) should receive screening for PAH via serial echocardiograms and possibly other non-invasive studies.
Tier 2 View Citations

Pattathu J, et al. (2016) PMID: 27053696

Circumstances to Avoid

It is recommended that dual antiplatelet therapy and/or combination of antiplatelet therapy and anticoagulation be avoided where possible. However, patients can receive anticoagulation (prophylactic or therapeutic) or antiplatelet therapy when there is an indication, with consideration of their individualized bleeding risks; bleeding in HHT is not an absolute contraindication for these therapies.
Tier 2 View Citations

Faughnan ME, et al. (2020) PMID: 32894695

Chemical or electric cauterization is contraindicated for epistaxis in HHT. One guideline states that dermoplasty is not recommended.
Tier 2 View Citations

Faughnan ME, et al. (2020) PMID: 32894695, Robard L, et al. (2017) PMID: 27986467

Liver biopsy should be avoided in any patient with HHT; its indication should be discussed with a multidisciplinary panel.
Tier 2 View Citations

Faughnan ME, et al. (2020) PMID: 32894695, Faughnan ME, et al. (2011) PMID: 19553198, Silvain C, et al. (2020) PMID: 32276767, Northup PG, et al. (2021) PMID: 33219529

Patients with documented PAVMs (treated or untreated) should be advised to avoid scuba diving.
Tier 2 View Citations

Faughnan ME, et al. (2020) PMID: 32894695, Faughnan ME, et al. (2011) PMID: 19553198

Individuals with significant epistaxis are advised to avoid vigorous nose blowing, lifting of heavy objects, straining during bowel movements, and finger manipulation in the nose.
Tier 4 View Citations

McDonald J, et al. (1993) PMID: 20301525

Description of sources of evidence:

Tier 1: Evidence from a systematic review or a meta-analysis or clinical practice guideline clearly based on a systematic review.
Tier 2: Evidence from clinical practice guidelines or broad-based expert consensus with non-systematic evidence review.
Tier 3: Evidence from another source with non-systematic review of evidence with primary literature cited.
Tier 4: Evidence from another source with non-systematic review of evidence with no citations to primary data sources.
Tier 5: Evidence from a non-systematically identified source.

Nature of Intervention

Identified interventions include various forms of imaging and management of bleeding risks. Embolization for large PAVMs has been found to be safe and effective. Brain MRI typically requires sedation or anesthesia in young children. There are no medical (conservative) treatments available for cerebral vascular malformations. Any treatment consists of either neurosurgical resection and/or endovascular embolization, and/or radiosurgery, which are not trivial and carry a non-negligible risk of complication; decision to treat versus observe is based on risk of treatment versus risk for hemorrhage.
Context: Adult Pediatric
View Citations

Faughnan ME, et al. (2020) PMID: 32894695, Eker OF, et al. (2020) PMID: 32600364

Chance to Escape Clinical Detection

Although HHT is a development disorder and infants are occasionally severely affected, in most people the features are age-dependent, and the diagnosis is not suspected until adolescence or later. Many individuals do not have nosebleeds that are frequent or severe enough to cause anemia or result in medical treatment or consultation. In addition, HHT is often underdiagnosed, and a long diagnostic delay is common. As such, entire families remain unaware of available screening and treatment, and children and adults unnecessarily develop stroke or life-threatening hemorrhage. Hepatic VMs can present with nodular liver, varices, ascites, and splenomegaly, leading to an erroneous diagnosis of cirrhosis.
Context: Adult Pediatric
Tier 4 View Citations

Faughnan ME, et al. (2020) PMID: 32894695, Faughnan ME, et al. (2011) PMID: 19553198, McDonald J, et al. (1993) PMID: 20301525, Plauchu H. (2016) URL: www.orpha.net.

Description of sources of evidence:

Tier 1: Evidence from a systematic review or a meta-analysis or clinical practice guideline clearly based on a systematic review.
Tier 2: Evidence from clinical practice guidelines or broad-based expert consensus with non-systematic evidence review.
Tier 3: Evidence from another source with non-systematic review of evidence with primary literature cited.
Tier 4: Evidence from another source with non-systematic review of evidence with no citations to primary data sources.
Tier 5: Evidence from a non-systematically identified source.
Gene Condition Associations
OMIM Identifier Primary MONDO Identifier Additional MONDO Identifiers
ENG 187300 0008535 0019180
ACVRL1 600376 0010880 0019180
SMAD4 175050 0008278

References List

Brinjikji W, Iyer VN, Wood CP, Lanzino G. (2017) Prevalence and characteristics of brain arteriovenous malformations in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of neurosurgery. 127(1933-0693):302-310.

Eker OF, Boccardi E, Sure U, Patel MC, Alicante S, Alsafi A, Coote N, Droege F, Dupuis O, Fialla AD, Jones B, Kariholu U, Kjeldsen AD, Lefroy D, Lenato GM, Mager HJ, Manfredi G, Nielsen TH, Pagella F, Post MC, Rennie C, Sabbà C, Suppressa P, Toerring PM, Ugolini S, Buscarini E, Dupuis-Girod S, Shovlin CL. (2020) European Reference Network for Rare Vascular Diseases (VASCERN) position statement on cerebral screening in adults and children with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Orphanet journal of rare diseases. 15(1750-1172):165.

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Early Rule-Out Summary

This topic passed the early rule out stage

Findings of Early Rule-Out Assessment

  1. Is there a qualifying resource, such as a practice guideline or systematic review, for the genetic condition?
  2. Does the practice guideline or systematic review indicate that the result is actionable in one or more of the following ways?
  3. a. Patient Management

    b. Surveillance or Screening

    c. Circumstances to Avoid

  4. Is it actionable in an undiagnosed adult with the condition?
  5. Is this condition an important health problem?
  6. Is there at least on known pathogenic variant with at least moderate penetrance (≥40%) or moderate relative risk (≥2) in any population?