The superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is caused by the difficulty of venous return mainly due to malignant tumour pathology, and less commonly due to benign aetiology (pacemakers, indwelling catheters, etc.).
We reviewed our experience in the endovascular treatment of this syndrome and its therapeutic management.
Between 1998 and 2008 a total of 13 endovascular procedures (percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and self-expandable stent) were performed on patients with SVCS, 10 (77%) of whom were male and three (23%) females, mean age 63.5 卤 13 years (42鈥?0). The cause was lung cancer in 6 cases of (46.2%), one case of oesophageal carcinoma (7.6%), three mediastinal metastases (23.1%) and three due to a central line for chemotherapy (23.1%).
The endovascular procedure was optimal in 12 cases, resulting in migration of the stent in one case. The approach was femoral in 10 cases (77%) and brachial in three (23%). Local anaesthesia was used in 11 patients (84.6%), two (15.4%) with general anaesthetic due to systemic problems. No patients died in relation to the intervention. Clinical improvement was immediate. During the 10 years follow up, 7 patients died from progression of their disease and two recurrences (15.4%) were observed and treated with angioplasty. The survival rate of the series was 46.2%.
Endovascular treatment of SVCS is a safe and effective procedure that provides rapid improvement in quality of life of patients and the compressive symptoms. The optimal anticoagulation regimen must be defined.