Stent implantation for post-Mustard systemic venous obstruction.

In this paper, we report on the use of stents in the treatment of late-onset post-Mustard systemic venous obstruction in three patients with clinical signs of obstructive caval syndrome. After unsuccessful balloon dilation, Palmaz-Schatz stents were implanted at the veno-atrial junction. Further dilation has been achieved using high-pressure balloons. Vessel diameter increased from 4.4+/-1.8 to 13+/-1.7 mm (P < 0.05) and the trans-stenotic pressure gradient dropped from 8+/-6 to 0 mmHg (P < 0.01), with clinical improvement. After 26+/-4 months of non-invasive follow-up, no signs of recurrent stenosis were observed. Stent implantation is effective in the treatment of systemic venous obstruction after Mustard operation.