title: Dialysis catheter-induced superior vena cava syndrome and downhill esophageal varices.
abstract: Superior vena cava stenosis is a well-documented complication of central venous dialysis catheters. Rarely, this obstruction can lead to the formation of downhill esophageal varices. We present a case of esophageal varices as a complication of dialysis catheter-induced superior vena cava stenosis, which became symptomatic after the placement of an upper extremity arteriovenous graft and resolved with percutaneous angioplasty and stenting of the superior vena cava stricture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 920 Madison Avenue, Suite 200, Memphis, TN 38103, USA. mandsgreen@excite.com
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Greenwell
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Basye
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Dhawan
authors.forename: F D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Parks
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Acchiardo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015607:Stents; D013479:Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery