Isolated pharmacomechanical thrombolysis plus primary stenting in a single procedure to treat acute thrombotic superior vena cava syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To report a combined procedure that opens the acutely thrombosed superior vena cava (SVC) to rapidly alleviate symptoms in seriously ill patients with SVC syndrome.


METHODS
Four patients aged 54 to 63 years old with underlying malignancies were referred for treatment of SVC syndrome. All received isolated pharmacomechanical thrombolysis (IPMT) with tissue plasminogen activator delivered in a Trellis Peripheral Infusion System that removed obstructive clot in minutes versus the 24 to 48 hours required for traditional catheter-directed thrombolysis. In each case, stents were inserted immediately following IPMT in a combined procedure lasting <1 hour. Patients exhibited near-immediate relief of debilitating symptoms; completion venography demonstrated patent vessels with excellent blood flow.


CONCLUSIONS
Combining IPMT with immediate stenting during the same session is an effective method for managing acute thrombotic SVC syndrome and limiting the exposure time and number of interventions performed on seriously ill patients.
O'Sullivan
Gerard J
GJ
Section of Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, and, University College Hospital, Newcastle Road, Galway, Ireland. gerard.osullivan2@hse.ie
Mhuircheartaigh
Jennifer Ni
JN
Ferguson
David
D
Delappe
Eithne
E
O'Riordan
Conor
C
Browne
Ann Michelle
AM
D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010690:Phlebography; D012008:Recurrence; D015607:Stents; D013479:Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017131:Thrombectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D013997:Time Factors; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency
D000925:Anticoagulants; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator