Percutaneous treatment of superior vena cava obstruction following transvenous device implantation.

The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and safety of percutaneous treatment of superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction following transvenous device implantation. SVC obstruction is an uncommon but serious complication that can occur following permanent pacemaker or cardioverter defibrillator implantation utilizing transvenous endocardial leads. The treatment has traditionally been surgical but with the advent of stents, percutaneous approach is becoming popular. We report on the prevalence of SVC obstruction and the safety of its percutaneous catheter-based treatment. This is a retrospective study of SVC obstruction following device implantation in our institution from January 1993 through November 2003. A total of 1,850 permanent pacemaker and 1,200 implantable cardioverter defibrillator initial implants were performed during that period. Three patients developed SVC obstruction following implant (prevalence, 1/1,000 implant). Two patients were males and the mean age at implant was 57 +/- 13 years. Laser lead extraction and SVC angioplasty with or without stenting were performed in all patients. In two of them, this was followed by reimplantation of new systems. There were no procedural complications or mortality. The patients remain free of SVC obstruction symptoms 24 +/- 19 months after treatment. SVC obstruction prevalence after device implantation is low. Percutaneous treatment of SVC obstruction can be safely performed and appears to be effective in maintaining medium-term patency.     

Bilateral absence of the superior vena cava presenting with superior vena cava syndrome: A case report

Bilateral absence of the superior vena cava (SVC) is a very rare congenital vascular anomaly that is mainly asymptomatic. In this report, we describe an adult male patient with bilateral absence of the SVC presenting with SVC syndrome. Blood from the upper body returned to the right atrium via the superficial thoracoepigastric veins, the great saphenous veins, the common femoral veins, and the inferior vena cava.     

Stenting for superior vena cava obstruction in pediatric heart transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction can be a complication in heart transplant recipients. We reviewed our experience with relief of SVC obstruction using endovascular stents in pediatric heart transplant recipients. METHODS: Study cohort included pediatric heart transplant recipients, followed at our institution, who required endovascular stent placement for SVC obstruction. Data retrieved retrospectively included cardiac diagnosis, age, and weight at transplant, surgical technique of transplant (bicaval vs. biatrial anastomosis), previous cardiovascular surgeries, presenting symptoms, date of SVC stent placement, and need for reintervention. RESULTS: From March 1990 to June 2006, 5.1% (7/138) pediatric heart transplant recipients who were followed at our institution had SVC obstruction requiring stent placement. Median age and weight at transplant was 9 months and 8.7 kg, respectively. Four patients previously had a cavopulmonary anastomosis. Transplant surgery involved bicaval anastomosis in 6 and biatrial in 1. Of the 7 patients included in the study, 2 were asymptomatic, 2 were symptomatic (1 with chylothorax, 1 with headache), and 3 were identified at the time of transplant surgery. Median time from transplant surgery to SVC stent placement was 2 months (0-14 months). Three patients required reintervention as redilation of SVC stent (n = 1) or additional SVC stent (n = 2). In one patient the stent migrated to the pulmonary artery but was retrieved. CONCLUSION: SVC obstruction can be an important complication following heart transplantation, especially in infants with previous cavopulmonary anastomosis, undergoing heart transplant using bicaval technique. SVC obstruction can be safely and effectively treated using endovascular stents.     

Echocardiography of the superior vena cava

The anatomy and applied echocardiographic anatomy of the superior vena cava (SVC) are briefly described. Right supraclavicular interrogation of the SVC has been in use for many years, but supraclavicular two-dimensional (2-D) imaging of the SVC has been virtually ignored. We have recently shown that supraclavicular 2-D imaging can provide excellent views of the SVC and its main tributaries. Transthoracic echocardiography (TEE) is suitable for imaging of the lower (juxtaatrial) SVC. Persistence of a left SVC is an uncommon variant, diagnosed echocardiographically by coronary sinus dilatation and passage of contrast into it from a left arm vein. Extensive SVC compression by mediastinal masses is well known, but recently intravascular SVC obstruction has been increasingly reported as a complication of radiofrequency ablation for ectopic atrial tachycardia, for thrombosis of the SVC or its main tributaries following indwelling catheters, or following insertion of pacemaker leads. Doppler interrogation or TEE imaging of the SVC have been used in recent years to elucidate such pathology.     

Nonmalignant superior vena cava syndrome: pathophysiology and management.

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome occurs following obstruction either from external compression or internal thrombosis or scarring. In the past, treatment was limited to medical therapy or surgical bypass but now percutaneous revascularization presents a viable therapeutic option. We present our experience in the percutaneous therapy of patients with nonmalignant SVC syndrome and review the condition with regard to its pathophysiology and management.     

Treatment of superior vena cava obstruction secondary to pacemaker wires with balloon venoplasty and insertion of metallic stents.

AIMS: Pacemaker wires can result in stenosis of the superior vena cava and other central veins. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of treating stenoses of the superior vena cava (SVC) and central veins with balloon venoplasty and metallic stent insertion in the presence of cardiac pacemaker wires. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three patients were referred to the department after developing symptomatic SVC obstruction following implantation of a cardiac pacemaker several years earlier. They were examined with duplex ultrasound and venography, which revealed significant stenoses of the central veins. These patients subsequently underwent endovascular treatment which involved balloon dilation and stent insertion. The treatment was successful in all three patients, without any complications. Long-term patency of up to 4 years is recorded. No pacemaker function dysfunction was encountered. CONCLUSION: SVC stenting is safe and effective in patients who develop the SVC obstruction after cardiac pacemaker insertion.     

电视纵隔镜检查在上腔静脉综合征病因诊断中的应用

目的探讨电视纵隔镜检查在上腔静脉综合征病因诊断中的应用价值。方法对13例上腔静脉综合征患者，经颈部行电视纵隔镜检查，其中4例联合应用超声检查。结果13例均成功取到活检组织，病理检查证实纵隔小细胞未分化癌或神经内分泌癌8例，淋巴瘤3例，胸腺瘤2例。平均检查时间为35min，无手术并发症及死亡者。结论通过电视纵隔镜检查可对上腔静脉综合征的病因作出准确诊断．该检查安全可行。     

Single center experience with percutaneous endovascular repair of superior vena cava syndrome

Objectives : To demonstrate short‐term effectiveness and long‐term efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with or without adjunctive therapy in treatment of superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS). Background : Recently, PTA with or without adjunctive therapy has evolved as first‐line therapy for SVCS. Despite growing evidence for PTA with or without adjunctive therapy, there are little data reflecting its short‐ and long‐term outcomes. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 14 consecutive patients undergoing PTA with or without adjunctive therapy for SVCS, between July 2001 and September 2009. Results : A total of 14 patients (nine women; mean age, 49 ± 15 years) with SVCS underwent attempted PTA with or without adjunctive therapy. Causes of SVCS were indwelling catheters or pacemaker wires (n = 5), idiopathic (n = 5), thoracic outlet syndrome (n = 2), and cancer‐related thrombosis (n = 2). Obstruction of the SVC involved inflow branches in 86% of patients (n = 12). PTA with or without adjunctive therapy was attempted in all 14 patients and was angiographically successful in 93% (n = 13). PTA and stenting was performed in eight (57%) patients; three (21%) patients had PTA with thrombectomy/thrombolysis; one (7%) patient had PTA alone; and one (7%) patient had thrombectomy/thrombolysis alone. Symptom relief was seen in 86% (n = 12), and initial patency was 90%. There were no procedural complications. Mean follow‐up was 12 months, and no deaths were reported. In the 11 (79%) patients with follow‐up imaging, nine (82%) patients showed patency and two (18%) had residual symptoms, with one patient undergoing surgery. Conclusions : PTA with adjunctive endovascular stent therapy for SVCS is safe and effective at giving both rapid and sustained symptom relief. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Case report of fatal complication of superior vena cava tear from balloon dilatation of iatrogenic superior vena cava narrowing

The treatment options for superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction depends on the cause and severity of SVC narrowing. It ranges from conservative medical management to more elaborate endovascular and surgical repair of obstruction. There has always been a concern regarding the possibility of rupture of SVC during balloon dilatation, if the obstruction is secondary to the surgical cause. Very few cases are reported in the literature. We report a case of fatal complication of SVC tear in a 2-month-old child who had iatrogenic SVC narrowing.     

Long-term outcome of catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation originating from the superior vena cava

Long‐Term Outcome of SVC AF Ablation. Introduction: Data of the long‐term clinical outcome after superior vena cava (SVC) isolation are limited. We aimed to evaluate the long‐term outcome in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who had triggers originating from the SVC and received catheter ablation of AF. Methods and Results: The study consisted of 68 patients (age 56 ± 12 years old, 32 males) who underwent the ablation procedure for drug‐refractory, symptomatic paroxysmal AF originating from the SVC since 1999. Group 1 consisted of 37 patients with AF initiated from the SVC only, and group 2 consisted of 31 patients with both SVC and pulmonary vein (PV) triggers. During a follow‐up period of 88 ± 50 months, the AF recurrence rate was 35.3% after a single procedure. The freedom‐from‐AF rates were 85.3% at 1 year and 73.3% at 5 years. In the baseline study, group 2 had larger left atrium (38 ± 4 mm vs 36 ± 5 mm, P = 0.04), left ventricle (50 ± 5 mm vs 46 ± 5 mm, P = 0.003), and PV diameters. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed a higher AF recurrence rate in group 2 compared to that in group 1 (P = 0.012). The independent predictor of an AF recurrence was a larger SVC diameter (P = 0.02, HR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.8). Conclusion: Among the patients with paroxysmal AF originating from the SVC, 73% remained free of AF for 5 years after a single catheter ablation procedure. Superior vena cava isolation without PV isolation is an acceptable therapeutic strategy in those patients with AF originating from the SVC only. The SVC diameter was an independent predictor of AF recurrence. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 955‐961, September 2012)     

Novel concept of atrial tachyarrhythmias originating from the superior vena cava: insight from noncontact mapping

INTRODUCTION: Information about the activation patterns inside the superior vena cava (SVC) and entry and exit sites at the SVC-right atrial (RA) junction during SVC tachyarrhythmia is limited. METHODS AND RESULTS: A detailed characterization of electrophysiologic mechanisms and ablation strategies was performed using a noncontact three-dimensional mapping system in two cases of SVC tachycardia. The first case demonstrated SVC tachycardia originating from an ectopic focus inside the SVC, with sustained depolarization and conduction to the atrium. Entry and exit sites across the SVC-RA junction were located very close to each other. The second case demonstrated two different reentrant circuits, one inside the SVC and the other into and out of the SVC-RA junction. The entry and exit sites were located far away from each other. CONCLUSION: Noncontact mapping may help to reveal the mechanism of SVC tachyarrhythmias and to locate entry and exit sites at the SVC-RA junction as a guide for catheter ablation.     

Successful transcatheter management of palmaz stent embolization after superior vena cava stenting

A 34-year-old patient with benign superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) was treated with thrombolytic therapy, balloon angioplasty, and placement of two peripheral Palmaz stents. Embolization of one stent to the right atrium occurred 10 min after successful implantation. This serious complication was successfully managed by percutaneous transcatheter technique with retrieval from the right atrium and subsequent deployment into the right external iliac vein of the lost stent. Complete resolution of SVCS symptoms occurred within 24 hr and moderate superior vena cava restenosis was successfully dilated 8 months later. At 12-month follow-up the patient continues to be asymptomatic.     

为左上腔静脉永存合并右上腔静脉缺如患者植入起搏导线

目的 对左上腔静脉永存合并右上腔静脉缺如患者的心室起搏导线植入方法作初步探讨,方法 为3例病态窦房结综合征,2例三度房室阻滞患者植入VVI起搏系统,导线经左上腔静脉、冠状静脉窦、右心房、三尖瓣口而固定于右心室心尖部（4例）或至心大静脉远段（1例）,靠近心外膜左缘。结果 5例患者的导线均成功放置分别随访3个月-7年,起搏功能良好。结论 对左上腔静脉存伴右上腔静脉缺如患者植入心脏起搏系统,通过适当地操作,一般可将导线定侠于右心室心尖部;而经冠状静脉窦作左心室心外膜起搏亦是可以选择的。     

Ectopic tachycardia originating from the superior vena cava

We report a 65-year-old female patient with a 3-year history of symptomatic paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Electroanatomic and basket catheter mapping revealed a focal tachycardia originating in the superior vena cava (SVC), 5 cm above the SVC-right atrium (SVC-RA) junction. An area of fractionated potentials and slow conduction was found on the anterior wall of the SVC. A line of conduction block extending downwardly and obliquely from the anteroseptal aspect to anterolateral aspect of the SVC forcing the impulse to enter the RA via the posterior aspect of SVC-RA junction was observed. Entrainment attempts from multiple sites within the SVC failed to demonstrate reentry as a mechanism of arrhythmia. The ablation approach consisted of isolation of the arrhythmogenic area from the rest of the SVC.     

Fibrosing TB mediastinitis presenting as a superior vena cava syndrome: a case presentation and echocardiogram correlate

A 49-year-old woman developed a chronic obstruction of the superior vena cava (SVC) as a complication of mediastinal tuberculosis. Echocardiography findings are presented along with the cavography. Symptoms disappeared after stenting the fibrosed SVC. Transesophageal echocardiogram findings led to the condition's final resolution.     

经永存左上腔静脉植入起搏电极体会

目的总结经永存左上腔静脉（PLSVC）植入起搏电极体会。方法总结4例PLSVC植入双腔起搏器的患者。患者出院前及出院后3个月、6个月进行随访,了解起搏器工作状态。结果4例患者术前均常规行经胸超声心动图检查,结果显示冠状静脉窦开口扩大,提示PLSVC存在可能。第1例患者因术前发现PLSVC可能,首先穿刺右侧锁骨下静脉;造影显示右上腔静脉缺如,右侧锁骨下静脉汇入PLSVC。第2、3例患者因双腔起搏器植入前反复出现心动过缓相关症状,在术前经右侧锁骨下静脉植人临时起搏器,术中造影显示PLSVC与右侧上腔静脉无交通。第4例患者在置入导丝时直接经PLSVC进入右心房。患者术后3个月、6个月常规行起搏器程控并调整起搏器出厂设置参数,此后每6—12个月行起搏器程控,程控时测量心房电极和心室电极的起搏阈值、感知和阻抗。均在满意范围。第1例患者两次随访时心律均为窦性心律,心房电极感知大于2mV,起搏阈值小于1V,阻抗小于1000Q。结论PLSVC能够顺利完成起搏电极植入。     

支架置入术治疗上腔静脉综合征

目的　观察支架置入治疗上腔静脉综合征的临床疗效。方法　采用经皮静脉内支架置入术治疗 12例上腔静脉综合征患者 (男 11例 ,女 1例 ,平均年龄 5 1岁 )。结果　上腔静脉综合征缓解率为 92 % (11 12 ) ,无早期血管堵塞、支架移位等临床并发症 ,复发率 16 7%。结论　经皮静脉内支架置入术治疗上腔静脉综合征缓解率高 ,相对安全简单 ,并发症少。     

Analysis of Doppler flow spectra of the superior vena cava in a canine model of acute thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

We aimed to establish a canine model of acute thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (ATEPH) and to explore the feasibility of diagnosing pulmonary hypertension (PH) through the Doppler flow spectra of the superior vena cava (SVC). A canine model of ATEPH was developed by infusing thrombus into the right femoral vein. The pulmonary arterial pressure was simultaneously measured via a right heart catheter with the guidance of ultrasound. The maximum systolic peak flow velocity (SPV), ventricular reverse peak flow velocity (VRPV), diastolic peak flow velocity (DPV), and atrial reverse peak flow velocity (ARPV) of the SVC were measured by transthoracic echocardiography. ATEPH was successfully established in 24 dogs (88.9%) with the pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) greater than 30 mmHg. ARPV increased significantly with the increase of PASP, and was positively correlated with PASP (P<0.001). The ARPV/SPV larger than 0.8 could be better adopted to identify all the subjects with PH in this study. The Doppler flow spectra of the SVC could be employed to assess the severity of ATEPH.     

Congenital superior vena cava obstruction causing anasarca and respiratory failure in a newborn: successful transcatheter therapy.

Superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction is a rare entity in the pediatric population. It usually presents in association with either previous cardiac surgery or external compression from a neoplasm. We present the case of an infant born with congenital SVC obstruction and significant bilateral chylothorax and anasarca necessitating mechanical ventilation. Successful placement of an intravascular stent led to resolution of the chylothoraces with rapid clinical improvement.     

Superior vena cava syndrome related to indwelling intravenous catheters in patients with cystic fibrosis

Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) often need long-term implanted vascular-access devices for intravenous antibiotics for chronic lower respiratory tract infections. These devices are not without complications, including infection, occlusion, and vascular thrombosis. Such thrombosis can result in superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome due to the position of the catheter proximal to the right atrium. SVC syndrome in CF patients, however, is rarely reported in the literature, suggesting that its incidence is uncommon. We describe three patients with SVC syndrome as a consequence of implanted vascular-access devices.