Acute-Onset Dyspnea and Superior Vena Cava Syndrome During Dialysis

Abstract

A 30-YEAR-OLD WOMAN with end-stage renal disease secondary to polycystic kidney disease presented to an outside hospital for acute pancreatitis. While receiving hemodialysis through a left femoral loop graft, she had acute facial swelling and respiratory distress that required control of her airway. A tracheostomy had to be emergently performed after several failed attempts at tracheal intubation. The patient was transferred to the authors' hospital for the treatment of ongoing management of pancreatitis and respiratory distress.