title: Superior vena cava syndrome as a complication of transvenous permanent pacemaker implantation.
abstract: Venous thrombosis induced by a transvenous permanent pacemaker is a common complication. However, superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome caused by pacemaker leads is only occasionally seen and its prevalence has been estimated to be less than 1 in 1000 pacemaker patients. Herein, we report a Taiwanese patient of high grade AV block, who presented with SVC syndrome 2 years after transvenous permanent pacemaker implantation. This case features fibrotic stenosis of the junction of right brachiocephalic trunk and SVC, and an extensive thrombus formation resulting in complete obliteration of the left brachiocephalic vein. The collateral circulation was so delicate that he still could lead a rather normal life, even if anticoagulant therapy proved to be ineffective from an angiographic point of view.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Hsu
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013479:Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D018617:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Pulsed; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*