Fatal Pericardial Tamponade After Superior Vena Cava Stenting

We discuss a fatal complication of percutaneous superior vena cava (SVC) self-expandable stent placement in a patient with superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS). The SVCS was caused by a malignant mediastinal mass with total occlusion of the SVC. Twenty-four hours after the procedure, the patient died of a hemopericardial tamponade. In the literature, only seven cases have been described with this life-threatening complication. Patients with a necrotic tumor mass are more likely to develop this complication. Knowledge of this complication may increase patient survival.     

Bridging stent placement through the superior vena cava to the inferior vena cava in a patient with malignant superior vena cava syndrome and an iodinated contrast material allergy

Positioning is critical during the placement of superior vena cava (SVC) stents in patients with malignant SVC syndrome. Although SVC stents effectively relieve various symptoms of SVC syndrome, improper stent positioning may cause life-threatening complications such as migration that result in fatal cardiac failure. Here we describe a patient with an allergy to iodinated contrast material (ICM) who presented with SVC syndrome owing to mediastinal lymph node metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma, which was successfully treated with an SVC stent. Secure stent placement was achieved by bridging the stent through the SVC to the inferior vena cava with venography using carbon dioxide instead of ICM.     

Covered Stent Placement for the Treatment of Malignant Superior Vena Cava Syndrome: Is Unilateral Covered Stenting Safe and Effective?

Objective

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of unilateral covered stent placement in patients with malignant superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome.

Materials and Methods

Between October 2008 and November 2012, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent placement for malignant SVC syndrome was performed in 40 consecutive patients (35 men and five women; mean age, 61.4 years; range, 35-81 years). All covered stents were unilaterally placed within the SVC or across the venous confluence when needed to relieve venous obstruction and prevent tumor overgrowth, regardless of patency of contralateral brachiocephalic veins.

Results

Stent placement was technically successful in all patients. There were no major complications. Of the 37 patients symptomatic prior to stent placement, 34 (92%) experienced complete symptomatic relief 1-8 days after stent placement. Of the 29 patients who underwent covered stent placement across the venous confluence, nine patients had patent contralateral brachiocephalic veins prior to stent placement. However, no sign of SVC obstruction or contralateral upper extremity venous thrombosis was observed during the follow-up period. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed median patient survival of 163 days. Stent occlusion occurred in four (10%) of 40 patents. Cumulative stent patency rates at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months were 95%, 92%, 86%, and 86%, respectively.

Conclusion

Unilateral covered stent placement appears to be a safe and effective method for treating malignant SVC syndrome, despite the location of SVC occlusion.     

SVC syndrome with a patent SVC: treatment of internal jugular venous occlusion after surgical and radiation therapy of esophageal cancer

A patient is described in whom recanalization and stent placement in an occluded internal jugular vein was performed for the treatment of refractory facial edema initially thought to be lymphedema. The authors describe the combination of venous obstructions leading to this clinical presentation, which they term "SVC syndrome with a patent SVC."     

Hemopericardium After Superior Vena Cava Stenting for Malignant SVC Obstruction: The Importance of Contrast-Enhanced CT in the Assessment of Postprocedural Collapse

We report the complication of hemopericardium following superior vena cava (SVC) stenting with an uncovered Wallstent in a patient with malignant SVC obstruction. The patient collapsed acutely 15 min following stent placement with hypoxemia and hypotension. A CT scan demonstrated a hemopericardium which was successfully treated with a pericardial drain. The possible complications of SVC stenting, including hemopericardium, pulmonary embolism, mediastinal hematoma, and pulmonary edema from increased venous return resulting from improved hemodynamics, ensure a wide differential diagnosis in the postprocedural collapsed patient and this case emphasizes the important role of contrast-enhanced CT in the peri-resuscitation assessment of these patients.     

Long-term success of endovascular treatment of benign superior vena cava occlusion with chylothorax and chylopericardium

The most likely etiology of benign obstruction of the superior vena cava (SVC) include fibrosing mediastinitis and iatrogenic etiologies such as sclerosis and obstruction caused by pacemakers and central venous catheter. Percutaneous stenting of SVC has been used with success both in malignant and benign superior vena cava syndrome; however, long-term follow-up of endovascular procedures is not well known. We present a case of a patient with complete occlusion of SVC of benign etiology, presenting dramatically with bilateral chylothorax and chylopericardium with cardiac tamponade, who underwent successful vena caval revascularization with thrombolytic therapy and placement of self-expanding metallic stent. The 42-month follow-up could encourage endovascular procedures even in SVC syndrome of benign etiology.     

Subacute and chronic benign superior vena cava obstructions: endovascular treatment with self-expanding metallic stents.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose is to report our clinical experience with patients who underwent endovascular treatment with Wallstents for subacute or chronic benign obstruction of the superior vena cava (SVC). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twelve patients who were an average of 54 +/- 12 years old were referred for treatment of severe SVC syndrome related to implanted central venous catheters (n = 8), postradiation fibrosis (n = 2), a permanent pacemaker (n = 1), or a benign tumor (n = 1). Symptoms were present for an average of 16 weeks (range, 4-48 weeks) before treatment. Diagnosis of SVC obstruction was confirmed with helical CT and pretherapeutic phlebography. Four patients had Stanford's type II stenosis; two, type III; and six, type IV. The mean clinical and radiologic follow-up intervals were 11 months (range, 1-36 months) and 7 months (range, 1 week to 32 months), respectively. RESULTS: Recanalization was successful in all patients. Fifteen stents were implanted in the 12 patients. Stents were placed after percutaneous balloon angioplasty in nine patients, and primary stent placement was attempted in three patients. We immediately achieved a satisfactory SVC diameter in all patients, whose symptoms were relieved completely within 1 week of stent placement. No technical or clinical complications occurred. SVC syndrome recurred in one patient 2 months after stent placement and was treated by placing a second stent. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment with stent placement should be considered relevant and safe for refractory benign SVC syndrome. However, a larger series and a longer follow-up period are needed to define the role of stent placement for this syndrome.     

Endovascular stenting in superior vena cava syndrome: utility of a through-and-through guidewire technique.

OBJECTIVE: To describe an ancillary technique when a conventional femoral approach to superior vena cava (SVC) stent placement is not feasible because of buckling of balloon catheters or stent-deployment systems during device advancement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three patients in whom device advancement across the SVC lesion from a femoral or axillary approach was unsuccessful were managed by accessing the right jugular vein; SVC lesions were crossed from an antegrade direction, and the jugular guidewire was secured at the femoral access site to create a through-and-through guidewire. RESULTS: Countertraction on the through-and-through guidewire during stent placement and dilation permitted unhindered advancement of stent delivery systems and catheters across the SVC. Technical and clinical success was achieved in each patient with relief of SVC syndrome within 24-72 hours. Survival ranged from 26 to 137 days. CONCLUSION: A through-and-through guidewire technique is useful when stenting a highly stenotic or thrombosed SVC in patients with superior vena cava syndrome.     

Intravascular stent placement for a fusiform aneurysm of the posterior cerebral artery: case report

This article presents the case of a 45-year-old woman with a fusiform, broad-based, actually ruptured aneurysm of the posterior cerebral artery. The patient was successfully treated with stent placement and follow-up angiography demonstrated occlusion of the dome and the body of the aneurysm. Due to the limited neurosurgical treatment options, stent placement should be considered in patients with fusiform aneurysm of the posterior cerebral artery aneurysms.     

Percutaneous management of superior vena cava occlusions

Purpose To assess the use of percutaneous endovascular stent insertion in the management of superior vena cava (SVC) occlusion.Methods Percutaneous endovascular stent insertion was attempted in 13 patients, age range 20–72 (mean 55.5) years, with symptomatic total occlusion of the SVC. Twelve patients had known malignant disease of the thorax. The other patient (age 20) had chronic SVC obstruction, the cause of which was unknown at the time of the procedure. There was initial angiographic assessment and removal of thrombus by thrombolysis (10 patients) and/or clot aspiration (3 patients). Following successful lysis or aspiration, single or multiple endovascular stents were inserted.Results The inability to cross the lesion with a guidewire prevented stent insertion in 2 patients (15.4%). There was primary success in the remaining 11 patients (84.6%), with associated symptomatic relief. Some recurrence of symptoms occurred in 5 of the 11 patients (45.5%) after a time interval ranging from 14 to 183 days. In all cases of symptomatic recurrence, patency was reestablished with further thrombolysis and/or further stent insertion. All successfully treated patients have since died. All 11 patients remained symptomatically free of SVC occlusion until death, with postprocedure survival ranging from 5 to 243 days.Conclusion The percutaneous management of complete SVC occlusion with thrombolysis and/or clot aspiration followed by stent insertion is safe and effective, giving sustained symptomatic relief.     

应用覆膜支架介入救治颈动脉破裂并假性动脉瘤

目的 探讨应用覆膜支架介入治疗颈动脉破裂并假性动脉瘤。方法4例肿瘤所致颈动脉破裂并假性动脉瘤形成的患者,均出现颈部或口腔危及生命的出血,采用Seldinger方法,选用自膨式聚四氟乙烯覆膜支架治疗。结果4例成功施行血管内介入治疗,其中颈总动脉中段1例,颈动脉球2例,颈总动脉远段1例。共置入覆膜支架6枚。术后假性动脉瘤腔被隔绝,颈动脉通畅,患者的临床症状明显改善,无神经功能障碍。1例患者11d后支架下缘颈总动脉与原瘤腔相通,再次置入覆膜支架,2个月的随访无再出血。1例患者经钢圈栓塞、放置覆膜支架及裸支架瘤腔隔绝,但术后6周先前的支架下缘出现假性动脉瘤,经置入覆膜支架后出血停止。结论自膨式聚四氟乙烯覆膜支架治疗颈动脉破裂并假性动脉瘤是患者安全、有效的方法,特别是在救治伴有出血的颈部假性动脉瘤,支架的长期效果有待于进一步随访观察。     

Endovascular uncovered Wallstent placement for life-threatening isolated iliac vein injury caused by blunt pelvic trauma

Isolated iliac vein injury caused by blunt pelvic trauma is a rare condition that is difficult to diagnose and often fatal. We report a case of a 52-year-old female who presented with life-threatening isolated iliac vein injury caused by blunt pelvic trauma that was successfully managed with endovascular uncovered stent placement. Although further studies are warranted to clarify the hemostatic mechanism, uncovered stent placement can be considered as an alternative treatment option to covered stent placement for life-threatening iliac vein injury when a covered stent is not rapidly available.     

Combined stent placement and high dose PGE1 drip infusion for chronic occlusion of the superficial femoral artery as a modality to salvage chronic critical limb ischemia

PURPOSE: To assess the initial effect, short-term patency, and limb salvage rates of combined stent placement and high-dose prostaglandin E-1 (PGE1) drip infusion for chronic occlusion of the superficial femoral artery (SFA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 15 arteriosclerotic occlusive lesions of the SFA were treated in 11 consecutive patients (mean age: 78.4 years old). All cases were of category 4 or 5, based on the criteria of the Society of Vascular Surgery and Intermittent Society for Cardiovascular Surgery (SVC/ISCVS). In all cases a self-expandable stainless steel stent was implanted. PGE1 treatment was started 3-5 days before stent placement and continued for 7-10 days after the intervention. The technical success, limb salvage outcomes, patency rates, and complications were examined. RESULTS: In all cases, the technical success rate of the procedure was 100%. After stent implantation, the clinical status of all cases was improved by at least +2, and major amputation was not required in any cases. The 12-month primary, secondary patency rates, and limb salvage rate were 57%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Combined stent placement and high-dose PGE1 drip infusion is a treatment of choice for salvaging the lower limb of a patient with chronic critical ischemia.     

Crossing double stent retriever technique for refractory terminal internal carotid artery occlusion

Mechanical thrombectomy is highly effective for the recovery of acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion. However, refractory occlusions are still encountered despite the use of currently available devices. In this article, we present a case of refractory terminal internal carotid artery occlusion treated with the “crossing double stent retriever technique.” Two thrombectomy procedures with the combined technique using a stent retriever and aspiration catheter failed to recanalize the terminal internal carotid artery occlusion that involved the dominant anterior cerebral artery. We then applied the crossing double stent retriever technique as a rescue technique. Two microcatheters were advanced across the occlusion: one to the anterior cerebral artery and the other to the middle cerebral artery. First, a Trevo NXT 4 mm stent retriever was deployed from the anterior cerebral artery. Next, an additional Trevo NXT 4 mm stent retriever was deployed from the middle cerebral artery, and full immediate restoration of flow was achieved on angiography. Intraprocedural radiological images showed that the 2 microcatheters traversed different pathways, and the 2 stent retrievers completely covered the entire vessel with apparent in-stent clot sign. Both stent retrievers were then pulled back together, and a hard clot was retrieved. Subsequent angiography revealed complete recanalization. The crossing double stent retriever technique seems an effective rescue technique for treating refractory terminal internal carotid artery occlusion, especially with the anatomical feature of branching of the dominant anterior cerebral artery. This technique can facilitate the device-clot-vessel interaction by engaging the clot via 2 different device pathways.     

Endovascular Treatment of Malignant Superior Vena Cava Syndrome through Upper-Limb Access: A Comparison between Venous-Dedicated and Conventional Stents

PurposeTo retrospectively evaluate the technical and clinical outcomes of superior vena cava (SVC) stent placement through upper-limb venous access in malignant SVC syndrome (SVCS) and compare the efficacy of different nitinol stent types.Materials and MethodsBetween 2006 and 2018, 156 patients (132 male; mean age, 62 y; age range, 33–81 y) underwent SVC stent placement for malignant obstructions through upper-limb venous access with 1 of 3 types of nitinol stent: 1 venous-dedicated (Sinus-XL stent) and 2 non–venous-dedicated (E-Luminexx Vascular Stent and Protégé GPS). Cases of common femoral vein access or non-nitinol stents were excluded from further analysis. The mean duration of follow-up was 8 mo.ResultsTechnical success was achieved in 99.3% of cases. One patient died during the procedure as a result of cardiac tamponade. Balloon predilation was performed in 10 patients and postdilation in 126. Mean procedural time was 34.4 min (range, 18–80 min). Overall survival rates were 92.3%, 57.3%, and 26.8%, and overall primary patency rates were 94.5%, 84.8% and 79.6%, at 1, 6, and 12 mo, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in primary patency rates between venous- and non–venous-dedicated stents or among different Stanford SVCS grading groups (P > .05).ConclusionsSVC stent placement through an upper-limb approach is a safe, fast, and effective technique. There is no evident benefit of venous-dedicated vs non–venous-dedicated stents in the treatment of malignant SVCS.     

Sharp Central Venous Recanalization by Means of a TIPS Needle

The purpose of this study was to perform an alternative technique for recanalization of a chronic occlusion of the left brachiocephalic vein that could not be traversed with a guidewire. Restoration of a completely thrombosed left brachiocephalic vein was attempted in a 76-year-old male hemodialysis patient with massive upper inflow obstruction, massive edema of the face, neck, shoulder, and arm, and occlusion of the stented right brachiocephalic vein/superior vena cava. Vessel negotiation with several guidewires and multipurpose catheters proved unsuccessful. The procedure was also non-viable using a long, 21G puncture needle. Puncture of the superior vena cava (SVC) at the distal circumference of the stent in the right brachiocephalic vein/superior vena cava, however, was feasible with a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) set under biplanar fluoroscopy using the distal end of the right brachiocephalic vein as a target, followed by balloon dilatation and partial extraction of thrombotic material of the left brachiocephalic vein with a wire basket. Finally, two overlapping stents were deployed to avoid early re-occlusion. Venography demonstrated complete vessel patency with free contrast media flow via the stents into the SVC, which was reconfirmed in follow-up examinations. Immediate clinical improvement was observed. Venous vascular recanalization of chronic venous occlusion by means of a TIPS needle is feasible as a last resort under certain precautions.     

Karotisstent beim akuten Schlaganfall

For patients with acute ischemic stroke due to total occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA), an effective intervention to improve neurologic symptoms and clinical outcome has not yet been established. Some authors have reported successful revascularization for patients with acute stroke symptoms secondary to ICA occlusion only in isolated series and case reports. Emergency recanalization and carotid artery stent placement can improve neurologic outcome in selected patients with acute ischemic stroke and total occlusion of the ICA.     

Follow-up Results of 71 Patients Undergoing Metallic Stent Placement for the Treatment of a Malignant Obstruction of the Superior Vena Cava

Purpose To retrospectively clarify the utility of metallic stent placement for the treatment of the malignant obstruction of the superior vena cava (SVC) in 71 patients with VC syndrome (SVCS) on the basis of long-term follow-up data. Materials and Methods Seventy-one patients underwent stent placement and were followed until death. The applicability of the spiral Z-stent (S-Z-stent) mainly used the initial and follow-up results, stent placement for bilateral BCV obstruction and the value of concurrent anticancer therapy were studied. Results The technical success rate was 100%, the initial clinical success rate was 87% (62/71), the primary clinical patency rate was 88% (57/65), and the secondary clinical patency rate was 95% (62/65). The obstruction rate of the stent was 12% (8/65), and an additional stent was useful for relief of recurrent SVCS. Survival of 57 patients in whom there was no recurrence of SVCS until death ranged from 1 week to 29 months (mean, 5.4 months and the S-Z-stent appeared to be suitable for the treatment of the malignant obstruction of SVC. Unilateral stent placement was effective for relief of SVCS with bilateral BCV obstruction. Patients who received concurrent anticancer therapy survived 2 months longer than those who did not. Conclusion Stent placement is an effective treatment for SVCS. Further, the utility of S-Z-stent for SVCS, an additional stent for recurrence, unilateral stent for patients with bilateral BCV obstruction, and anticancer therapy after stent placement were verified.     

Percutaneous unilateral placement of biliary covered metallic stent in patients with malignant hilar biliary obstruction and contralateral portal vein occlusion

Background Unilateral biliary metallic stent placement in the lobe with patent portal vein seemed to be a safe and effective palliative treatment of patients with contralateral portal vein occlusion caused by advanced hilar malignancy, obviating bilateral stent placement in these patients, because the hepatic lobe with portal vein occlusion ceases to produce bile due to interruption of enterohepatic circulation. Purpose To investigate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous unilateral expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE)-covered stent placement in malignant hilar biliary obstruction with contralateral portal vein occlusion. Material and Methods From February 2008 to March 2011, 24 consecutive patients with malignant hilar biliary obstruction and unilobar portal vein occlusion were enrolled in this prospective study. All patients were treated by percutaneous placement of ePTFE-covered stents. Results Stent deployment was technically successful in all patients. Two (8%) patients experienced minor self-limiting hemobilia. No major complication was noted. Successful internal drainage was achieved in 22 (91.6%) patients. Mean serum bilirubin level, which was 12.5 mg/dl ± 8.4 before drainage, decreased significantly to 2.7 mg/dl ± 3.4, 1 month after stent placement (P < 0.001). Median survival was 191 days (95% CI, 94-288 days) and cumulative stent patency rates at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months were 100%, 95%, 95%, 95%, and 71%, respectively. Two (8%) patients presented with stent occlusion due to sludge incrustation. Aside from two patients who had died within 30 days after stent placement, the other 22 patients demonstrated slight decrease in diameter of undrained lobe and did not experience cholangitis nor jaundice. Conclusion Unilateral placement of ePTFE-covered stent in the lobe with patent portal vein seems to be a safe and effective method for palliative treatment of patients with contralateral portal vein occlusion. In addition, ePTFE-covered stent placement can prevent tumor ingrowth without functional occlusion of segmental bile ducts.     

Treatment of a ruptured dissecting vertebral artery aneurysm with double stent placement: case report.

A ruptured dissecting right vertebral artery aneurysm was treated by means of double stent placement with two overlapping stents. Control angiography performed 3 d after stent placement revealed beginning aneurysmal thrombosis. Substantial reduction in aneurysmal size was observed after 4 wk, whereas total occlusion was observed after 3 mo. The reduced stent porosity caused by the overlapping stents, which result in significant hemodynamic changes inside the aneurysmal sac, may accelerate intraaneurysmal thrombosis and may be helpful in achieving a more rapid complete occlusion compared with that achieved by single stent placement.