Suspected superior vena cava syndrome: the role of the Swan-Ganz catheter.
The use of the Swan-Ganz flow-directed catheter in establishing the diagnosis of the superior vena cava syndrome in two patients (one with Hodgkin's disease and the other with carcinoma of the lung) is described. A pressure tracing showing elevated pressure above the obstruction without respiratory or cardiac fluctuations is characteristic of obstruction of the superior vena cava.
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000295:instrumentation; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000175:diagnosis; D002404:Catheterization; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014262:Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior