Use of the wallstent for symptomatic relief of malignant inferior vena cava obstructions.

PURPOSE

To report our experience with the Wallstent for the relief of congestive symptoms in patients with malignant inferior vena cava (IVC) obstructions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We treated five patients with malignant obstructions of the IVC with a total of seven self-expandable stents. All obstructions were due to extrinsic compression; the procedures were indicated to relieve congestive symptoms in patients unresponsive to other therapies or in whom other treatments were contraindicated. Patients were evaluated for decrease in ascites and edema, weight loss, and patency, where available.

RESULTS

All procedures were straightforward and obstructions could be successfully canalized. Inferior venacavograms obtained immediately after the procedure showed complete revascularization and disappearance of collateral circulation. Follow-up was carried out until death in four patients and until discharge in one. Of the five patients, four showed clinical improvement and one had no improvement. There was no recurrence of congestive symptoms. Except for one patient with partial migration of a stent, there were no important complications related to the procedure.

CONCLUSION

Wallstents could be placed without complications in the IVC and were effective to ameliorate congestive symptoms in patients with malignant IVC obstructions.