Anomalous inferior vena cava mimicking aortic dissection on transesophageal echocardiography

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is considered an excellent method for the diagnosis of aortic dissection, especially that involving the descending aorta. It has also proved useful in the evaluation of conditions mimicking aortic dissection, usually disclosing in these situations other types of severe aortic disease. We are not aware of any report dealing with venous abnormalities which presented diagnostic problems in a patient evaluated with TEE because of a suspected aortic dissection. Left ventricular (LV) free wall rupture complicated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) usually occurs in the early phase of AMI. True aneurysm of the LV is sometimes a complication of AMI but rarely ruptures. In our patient, a 72-year-old woman, the LV free wall ruptured on Day 49 after the onset of AMI and the ruptured site was the thinnest wall of large true aneurysm of the LV. The large aneurysmal formation probably was due to corticosteroids used for pericarditis. More attention should be paid to late cardiac rupture and the use of corticosteroids.     

Usefulness of inferior vena cava filters

Inferior vena cava filter placement could be helpful for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. However its use in Europa is not common. Moreover inferior vena cava filter could reduce morbidity and mortality associated to pulmonary embolism. Patients who could benefit from filter placement should be selected. Indeed filter placement could cause vena cava thrombosis. So as soon as filter has been placed, removal should be programmed.     

Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava

A case of leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava in a 74 year old woman is reported. The clinical and pathological features are described and the outcome and response to treatment analysed. This is a very rare form of malignant disease (less than 100 published cases) which mainly affects elderly women. The diagnosis is often made at a late stage because the symptomatology is not specific and because the tumour is so rare. Treatment is mainly surgical and is only possible in the infrarenal part of the inferior vena cava. It is very difficult or impossible to operate on the upper part of the vessel. The prognostic is poor. There are no reports of survival after 5 years.     

Contrast echocardiography of the inferior vena cava

M-mode and two-dimensional subcostal contrast echocardiography were used in 67 patients and 10 normal subjects to evaluate the contrast echo effect on the inferior vena cava echogram in relation to the cardiac cycle and respiratory events. No contrast echoes were recorded in the inferior vena cava in normals during normal breathing. Contrast echoes were recorded entering the inferior vena cava in systole in 20 patients with tricuspid regurgitation and in pre-systole in patients with atrial septal defect and left-to-right shunt and in some of the patients with elevated right atrial and ventricular end-diastolic pressure. Forced inspiration increased the contrast echo effect and determined the penetration of microbubbles into the inferior vena cava. This latter feature occurred in all the patients and only in 1 normal subject. The entry of the contrast echoes into the inferior vena cava was attributed to the high right atrial ventricular end-diastolic pressure and to the reversed flow, from the right ventricle to the right atrium and inferior vena cava in tricuspid regurgitation and from the left atrium to the inferior vena cava in atrial septal defect. The contrast echocardiographic diagnosis of tricuspid regurgitation appeared to be most reliable. New encouraging results were obtained by this technique in diagnosing atrial septal defect and left-to-right shunt. The first appearance of the contrast, the time of appearance in relation to the cardiac cycle and the direction of the to and fro motion of contrast echoes were the most important factors considered for a correct diagnosis.     

Trauma-induced thrombosis of the inferior vena cava

A 25 year old foreign patient, in his native country had a blunt polytrauma of the abdomen and of the thigh. The consequence was a complete thrombosis of the vena cava inferior in a distal position to the junction with the liver veins. The diagnosis was realized with phlebography, angiography and computertomography. The diaphragmatic part of the vena cava inferior and the liver veins were not affected by the thrombosis. The increasing edemas of the shank and a stasis ulcer which were the reason for the patients admission to the hospital could be treated successfully by Furosemid and Phenprocoumon within a period of 4 weeks.     

经下腔静脉途径拔除起搏导线的初步体会

目的 介绍应用血管内反推力技术经下腔静脉途径拔除起搏导线的初步临床体会。方法 对１８例患者的２８根导线应用血管内反推力牵引技术拔除导线,其中１６例（２５根导线）首选经上腔静脉途径,失败后改用经下腔静脉途径;２例（３根导线）直接用经下腔静脉途径拔除。结果 １６例患者的２５根导线,经上腔静脉途径完全拔除２２根（８８％）,３根经此途径拔除失败后改用下腔静脉途径,其中２根完全拔除。２例患者的３根导线直接先