Retroperitoneal arteriovenous malformation, a rare cause of heart failure in infancy: consideration of therapeutic approaches.

We report an infant presenting with congestive heart failure secondary to a large retroperitoneal arteriovenous (AV) malformation. The heart failure was treated by catheter embolization of the feeding arterial vessels with Ivalon particles. Following resolution of the heart failure, a residual avascular mass remained. A biopsy revealed the diagnosis of an undifferentiated sarcoma that was successfully treated with chemotherapy and surgery.