[Superior vena cava thrombosis manifesting as vasomotor facial flushes].
BACKGROUND
The first sign in the reported case of superior vena cava thrombosis secondary to a pacemaker lead, was exceptional: facial flush.


METHODS
A 52-year-old woman had a pacemaker for 10 years for rhythm disorders. She developed facial flush triggered by exercise and anteflexion. The clinical examination revealed collateral thoracic circulation, suggesting thrombosis of the superior vena cava which was confirmed by the angiocavogram.


CONCLUSIONS
Vasomotor flush is an uncommon and misleading initial sign of superior vena cava thrombosis. Induction by exercise and anteflexion is characteristic. Due to the increasing number of implanted patients, clinicians should be aware that pacemaker leads are an uncommon cause of superior vena cava thrombosis.
Soufir
N
N
Service de Dermatologie, Hôpital Bichat Claude Bernard, Paris.
Descamps
V
V
Chemlal
K
K
Crickx
B
B
Carbon
C
C
Belaich
S
S
D003097:Collateral Circulation; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005483:Flushing / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011187:Posture; D011859:Radiography; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior