title: Cranial vena caval syndrome secondary to transvenous pacemaker implantation in two dogs.
abstract: Superior vena caval syndrome is a rare, but reported complication of transvenous pacemaker implantation in humans. This syndrome can occur secondary to fibrotic and/or thrombotic obstruction of venous blood flow into the right atrium. The therapeutic approach depends on the suspicion of the presence of an active thrombus and may include antithrombotics, angioplasty and/or surgical venoplasty. We describe two dogs that developed severe pleural effusion secondary to stricture formation in the cranial vena cava 4 years after dual chamber transvenous pacemaker implantation. The stenosis was most likely due to fibrosis secondary to the transvenous pacemaker leads. Balloon angioplasty of the lesion resulted in resolution of the pleural effusion in both patients. Balloon angioplasty appears to be a viable therapeutic approach in dogs with cranial vena caval syndrome caused by focal stenotic lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2026, USA.
authors.forename: Carrie M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Van De Wiele
authors.forename: Daniel F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Hogan
authors.forename: Henry W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Nolie K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Parnell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000628:therapy; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D013479:Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D018617:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Pulsed; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*