Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  2005 Jan;38(1):67-71.

Surgical Treatment of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Caused by Hemodialysis Catheter: Report of 2 cases

• Cho YH
• Sohn YS
• Ryu SM
• Kim HK
• Sim JH
• Kim HJ
• Choi YH

Abstract

The major etiology of superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is malignancy. Radiologic endovascular intervention is the treatment of choice for patients with SVC syndrome due to malignant disease, which is unresponsive to radiation therapy and chemotherapy. However, it is not clear whether endovascular intervention can replace open surgery as the primary method of management of benign SVC syndrome. We report two cases of benign SVC syndrome resulting from dialysis catheters placed in the central veins. One patient underwent bypass surgery between innominate vein and right atrium by expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. Another patient had large thrombi in SVC and other central veins. We removed them under cardiopulmonary bypass to prevent pulmonary embolism, and SVC was repaired and augmented by autologous pericardium. Prompt symptomatic relief and angiographic improvements of collateral flow were achieved in both patients.

Keyword

Superior vena cava syndrome; Venous disease; Hemodialysis

MeSH Terms

Brachiocephalic Veins
Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Catheters*
Dialysis
Drug Therapy
Heart Atria
Humans
Pericardium
Polytetrafluoroethylene
Pulmonary Embolism
Renal Dialysis*
Superior Vena Cava Syndrome*
Veins
Vena Cava, Superior*
Polytetrafluoroethylene