title: Radiofrequency wire for the recanalization of central vein occlusions that have failed conventional endovascular techniques.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the technique and acute technical results associated with the PowerWire Radiofrequency (RF) Guidewire used to recanalize central vein occlusions (CVOs) after the failure of conventional endovascular techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was conducted from January 2008 to December 2011, which identified all patients with CVOs who underwent treatment with a novel RF guide wire. Forty-two symptomatic patients (with swollen arm or superior vena cava [SVC] syndrome) underwent RF wire recanalization of 43 CVOs, which were then implanted with stents. The distribution of CVOs in central veins was as follows: six subclavian, 29 brachiocephalic, and eight SVC. All patients had a history of central venous catheter placement. Patients were monitored with regular clinical evaluations and central venography after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 42 patients had successful recanalization of CVOs facilitated by the RF wire technique. There was one complication, which was not directly related to the RF wire: one case of cardiac tamponade attributed to balloon angioplasty after stent placement. Forty of 42 patients (95.2%) had patent stents and were asymptomatic at 6 and 9 months after treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present results suggest that the RF wire technique is a safe and efficient alternative in the recanalization of symptomatic and chronic CVOs when conventional endovascular techniques have failed.
authors: Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas St., Charleston, SC 29425, USA. guimarae@musc.edu
authors: Marcelo
authors: M
authors: Guimaraes
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Schonholz
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: Hannegan
authors: Michael Bret
authors: MB
authors: Anderson
authors: June
authors: J
authors: Shi
authors: Bayne
authors: B
authors: Selby
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016121:Brachiocephalic Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010690:Phlebography / Q000379:methods; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013022:South Carolina; D015607:Stents; D013350:Subclavian Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013479:Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging