title: Stent placement in superior vena cava syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is often seen in the natural history of malignant thoracic diseases. SVCS is characterized by unpleasant symptoms that usually lead to death. The purpose of our study is to show the efficiency of percutaneous stenting in the superior vena cava for relieving SVCS and the possibility of repeated stenting after recurrence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients with SVCS caused by malignant diseases who had one or more stents placed in the superior vena cava or its main tributaries were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 20 patients, 1 died of myocardial infarction 24 hours after the procedure without any signs of pulmonary embolus, hemorrhage, or malposition of the stent. SVCS was successfully controlled in 94% of patients until death or completion of the study. In 3 patients the procedure was repeated (3 to 20 weeks later) because of the recurrence of symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Percutaneous venous stent placement in the superior vena cava is a simple and effective technique to relieve rapid SVCS caused by malignancies. When recurrence occurs, repeated stenting can be performed successfully.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroradiology Surgery, CHRU de Caen, Caen, France.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Courtheoux
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Alkofer
authors.forename: Madjed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al Refaï
authors.forename: Radj
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gervais
authors.forename: Jean Philippe
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Le Rochais
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Icard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D015607:Stents; D013479:Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / Q000628:therapy*; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior