The Patency Rate of Endovascular Procedure in Patients with Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Caused by Intravenous Catheterization: A Case Series and Longitudinal Study

Different methods have been well addressed in literature in terms of treating superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome; nevertheless, the patency of endovascular treatment has rarely been investigated in patients with SVC syndrome in patients with central venous access. 

The present study was performed to assess the patency rate of endovascular procedure in patients with SVC syndrome caused by intravenous catheterization. 

The present case series and longitudinal study was conducted on patients with SVC syndrome in presence of central venous catheter who underwent venoplasty. Computed tomography (CT) venography was performed 1, 6 and 12 months after venoplasty. Facial swelling, facial discomfort, extremity edema, arteriovenous fistula (AVF) dysfunction, impairment in dialysis and SVC stenosis were measured at baseline and 1, 6 and 12 months after venoplasty. 

Out of 20 investigated patients, 11 (55%) were male. Significantly decreases were observed in the median grades of facial swelling and extremity edema in the follow-up (P<0.001). The decrease in facial discomfort was statistically insignificant (P=0.129), and the median grade of SVC stenosis significantly decreased from 1.5 to zero in the follow-up (P<0.001). A statistically-significant decrease was observed in AVF dysfunction (P=0.007), and impairment in dialysis significantly decreased after the intervention during the follow-up (P<0.001). 

Findings of the present study revealed the appropriate patency rate of endovascular treatment in patients with SVC syndrome in presence of central venous catheter.