Endovascular recanalization of superior vena cava, brachiocephalic, and subclavian venous occlusions caused by nonmalignant lesions.
BACKGROUND
Endovascular recanalization (EVR) is becoming the primary therapy for patients with central venous (brachiocephalic, subclavian, and superior vena cava) occlusion (CVO) caused by benign etiology. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed our experience in using EVR to treat benign CVO in 10 patients between April 2005 and September 2010.


METHODS
The mean age of the patients was 65.3 years, 2/10 cases were female, and the origin of cause of CVO in 7/10 cases was the hemodialysis access in the upper extremity. The patients were treated with primary stent placement and evaluated with immediate technical success rate and post-interventional patency rate after the procedure.


RESULTS
Eight patients were treated successfully with stent placement and experienced symptomatic relief immediately. No technical complications were observed during EVR treatment. Patients were followed up by ultrasonography and venography. Median follow-up was 13 months. Three patients required secondary procedures to maintain patency.


CONCLUSIONS
EVR is an effective and safe treatment in patients with benign CVO. It provides immediate symptom relief and maintains a continuous access for hemodialysis.
Department of Vascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University College of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China.
Meng
M
Ye
Ya-Xue
YX
Shi
Xiao-Zhong
XZ
Huang
Yi-Ping
YP
Zhao
Hao
H
Zhang
Ji-Wei
JW
Zhang
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016121:Brachiocephalic Veins / Q000473:pathology*; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013350:Subclavian Vein / Q000473:pathology*; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000473:pathology*