Use of self-expanding vascular endoprostheses in superior vena cava syndrome.

INTRODUCTION

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is associated to a malignant tumor in more than 90% of cases; being the lung cancer the most frequent (80%). SVCS has a benign cause in less than 5% of cases. Endovascular stenting has been proposed as the primary treatment of choice. We report our experience in SVC recanalization through the use of self-expanding vascular stents as treatment of life-threatening SVCS of benign and malignant etiology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 1994 and April 2002 44 patients with critical SVCS, were treated at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. Forty nine self-expanding endovascular metallic stents were percutaneously placed in the SVC. Thirty-one (70%) patients were male and 13 (30%) were female. The mean age was 55.6 years (range: 21-77). The etiology of SVCS was malignant in 40 cases and benign in 4. The malignant causes included lung cancer: 37 (37/44 - 92.5%), lymphoma: 1 (2.5%), chondrosarcoma 1 (2.5%), melanoma 1 (2.5%). The benign etiology corresponded to central catheters (N: 2) and post-radiation fibrosis (N: 2). Cavography showed complete occlusion of SVC in 12 cases (27%) and significant partial stenosis in 32 cases (73%). Thrombi associated with tumor stenosis were present in 25 (57%) patients.

RESULTS

All procedures were technically successful. No stent migration was observed. Thirty-two patients with malignant tumor ultimately died due to the progression of the disease. Mean survival time was 193 days (range: 25-578). SVCS recurrence was observed on six occasions. In four patients a new stent was placed. Symptomatic improvement was dramatically seen within 24-48 h after stent placement in 40 patients (90.9%) and 83.3% out of the cases (38/44) were symptoms-free during the rest of the disease. Three patients died in the 7 following days.

CONCLUSION

The use of self-expanding vascular endoprostheses in the recanalization treatment of SVC in SVCS due to a malignant or benign etiology offers excellent results with rapid and prolonged remission of symptoms.