title: Superior vena cava obstruction after heart transplantation.
abstract: Superior vena cava obstruction can be a serious complication after heart transplantation. A 58-year-old man with ischemic cardiomyopathy underwent orthotopic bicaval heart transplantation. On the 12th postoperative day, one hour after removing the central venous line, he developed sudden onset of facial edema, cyanosis, and tachycardia. Emergency transesophageal echocardiography revealed superior vena caval thrombosis at the site of anastomosis. Considering the risks of surgical reexploration, the superior vena cava was recanalized by stent deployment. All of the patient's symptoms were relieved a few hours after stent placement.
authors.affiliation: Tobacco Prevention and Control Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Babak Sharif
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Kashani
authors.affiliation: Lung Transplantation Research Center, National Research of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran zarghamahmadi@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Zargham Hossein
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Ahmadi
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Cardiology, Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Seifollah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abdi
authors.affiliation: Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Mohsen
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Mirhosseini
authors.affiliation: Tracheal Diseases Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Amir Abbas
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kianfar
authors.affiliation: Lung Transplantation Research Center, National Research of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Shanay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Niusha
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010690:Phlebography; D015607:Stents; D013479:Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy
keywords: Central venous catheters; heart transplantation; stents; superior; superior vena cava syndrome; thrombosis; vena cava