Complete Superior Vena Cava Obstruction Research Articles

Safety and Effectiveness of Abre Self-Expanding Venous Stent for Treatment of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome.

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is a constellation of symptoms that results from partial or complete SVC obstruction. Endovascular SVC stenting is an effective treatment for SVC syndrome with rapid clinical efficacy and low risk of complications. In this study, we assess the technical and clinical outcomes of a cohort of patients with SVC syndrome treated with the AbreTM self-expanding venous stent (Medtronic, Inc, Minneapolis, MN, USA). An institutional database was used to retrospectively identify patients with SVC syndrome treated with AbreTM venous self-expanding stent placement between 2021-2023. Patient demographic data, technical outcomes, treatment effectiveness, and adverse events were obtained from the electronic medical record. Nineteen patients (mean age 58.6) were included in the study. Thirteen interventions were performed for malignant compression of the SVC, 5 for central venous catheter-related SVC stenosis, and 1 for HD fistula-related SVC stenosis refractory to angioplasty. Primary patency was achieved in 93% of patients (17/19). Two patients (7%) required re-intervention with thrombolysis and angioplasty within 30days post-stenting. Mean duration of clinical and imaging follow-up were 228.7 ± 52.7 and 258.7 ± 62.1days, respectively. All patients with clinical follow-up experienced significant improvement in clinical symptoms post-intervention. No stent related complications were identified post-intervention. Treatment of SVC syndrome with the AbreTM self-expanding venous stent has high rates of technical and clinical success. No complications related to stent placement were identified in this study.

Focal hepatic hot spot sign: Clinical image

A 51‐year‐old women was hospitalized to start chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer diagnosed one months earlier. She underwent Computed Tomography (CT) of the chest and abdomen to re‐evaluate the progression of the lung tumour. Contrast-enhanced CT of the chest indicated an invasive anterior left lung tumour that caused an obstruction of the Superior Vena Cava (SVC) (Figure 1). Contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen revealed an intense focal wedge-shaped homogeneous enhancement area in the quadrate lobe of the liver, which is known as the hot spot sign (Figure 2). Focal hepatic hot spot sign was first described by Ishikawa in 1983. The sign can be observed on technetium 99m (99mTc) Sulphur colloid scans or on contrast, material enhanced CT scans [1]. Hot spot sign is caused by portosystemic venous shunting between the superior vena cava and the left portal vein via the internal mammary and paraumbilical veins along the ligamentum teres, secondary to superior vena cava obstruction. The hot spot is created by areas of focally increased blood flow that result from this shunting [2]. Stanford and colleagues classified SVC syndrome into four types - type I and type II referred as supra-azygous partial and near complete obstruction of SVC with antegrade flow in azygous vein. Type III is defined as complete obstruction of SVC with reversal of azygous blood flow and type IV as complete obstruction of SVC and azygous system with development of chest wall collaterals [3]. This sign has been reported in Budd-Chiari syndrome, the causes of SVC syndrome (neoplasms of the thorax as lung carcinoma and lymphoma, Vasculo‐Behcet’s disease, fibrosing mediastinitis, and luetic aneurysm), and masses of the liver (abscess, haemangioma, focal nodular hyperplasia, and hepatocellular carcinoma) [4].

Superior Vena Cava Obstruction Secondary to Prolonged Calcium Therapy: A Benign Etiology, Managed by Vein Graft Bypass Surgery

We like to report this case of a 28-year-old lady, who had celiac disease and developed complete Superior Vena Cava Obstruction secondary to prolonged corrective calcium therapy for refractory Hypocalcemia through the central venous line. Usually Superior Vena Cava Syndrome (SVCS) due to Superior Vena Cava obstruction (SVCO) has infective and malignant etiologies. Our case is a rare and benign cause, managed surgically after failed endovascular recanalization by the interventional radiologist.

Systemic to Pulmonary Venous Collaterals in Lung Malignancy: Rare Acquired Right-to-Left Shunt

Abstract The development of venous collaterals is a sine quo non of a number of diverse clinical entities. Of them, the systemic-to-pulmonary venous collaterals are rather uncommon. These collaterals, though essentially owe their birth to a complete superior vena cava obstruction, may be of diverse kinds. Categorized traditionally into anatomical, congenital or acquired varieties, they produce a right-to-left shunt and leave the patient susceptible to embolic stroke, brain abscess and a high cardiac output state. 1 Among these uncommon shunts, the rarest is the acquired kind. We present a case of a 90-year-old female with lung malignancy, who developed such an acquired shunt. A robust knowledge of such an event is critical from the perspective of understanding potential complications and taking timely steps to mitigate them.

Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Associated with Right-to-Left Shunt through Systemic-to-Pulmonary Venous Collaterals

Superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction is associated with the gradual development of venous collaterals. We present a rare form of systemic-to-pulmonary subpleural collateral pathway that developed in the bridging subpleural pulmonary veins in a 54-year-old woman with complete SVC obstruction. This uncommon collateral pathway represents a rare form of acquired right-to-left shunt due to previous pleural adhesions with an increased risk of stroke due to right-to-left venous shunting, which requires lifelong anticoagulation.

TREATMENT OF SUPERIOR VENA CAVA SYNDROME WITH RECOMBINANT TISSUE PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR IN A SICKLE CELL PATIENT UNDERGOING BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is a well-recognized clinical entity seen with mediastinal malignancies and intraluminal venous thrombosis. The role of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in the resolution of SVC syndrome caused by thrombosis in the bone marrow transplant settings has not been described. The authors report a case of SVC syndrome with good clinical response in a 16-year-old female with sickle cell disease undergoing an allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) from her HLA identical sibling. Shortly after her transplant, she was found to have significant facial edema and swelling above the neck. Concomitantly, her renal function deteriorated with progressive elevation of serum urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, requiring the use of continuous veno-venous hemofiltration. An upper extremity venogram showed complete SVC obstruction (type III) with apparent inferior reflux into the azygos system. rt-PA was started at a dose of (0.5 mg/kg/day) for 2 days. There was a dramatic resolution of her symptoms, including significant improvement in renal function with increase in urine output. A repeat venogram showed free flow from the distal tip of the central line consistent with a patent superior vena cava. There was no evidence of any bleeding manifestations with rt-PA. This report highlights the usefulness of rt-PA as a treatment modality for SVC syndrome in the BMT settings.

Regional lung function studies and radionuclide angiography in D-transposition of the great arteries.

Thirty-nine ventilation and perfusion lung studies with xenon 313 were perfomed in 29 patients with D-transposition of the great arteries (DTGA). Fifteen patients had simple DTGA and 14 more complex anatomic features. Inequalitiies of ventilation (V) were present in 23% (9/39) and perfusion (Q) in 44% (17/39) of studies. Six patients with simple DTGA showed abnormal distribution of perfusion, all with increased flow to the right lung. Among the 14 patients with complex DTGA, eight (57%) had abnormal distribution of perfusion. In patients with pulmonary artery band, increased flow was directed toward the left lung, and in those with an aorticopulmonary anastomosis, increased flow was to the side of the shunt. Radionuclide angiograms were performed in 17 patients with DTGA, both before and after surgical repair. In all, an abnormal circulatory pattern was noted. Complete superior vena cava obstruction present in four patients and residual left to right shunt (Qp/qs greater than 1.7/liter) in three was confirmed at cardiac catheterization. Ventilation perfusion studies with xenon-313 and technetium-99m radionuclide angiogram were effective noninvasive techniques in assessing pulmonary function and hemodynamics in patients with DTGA.