A contemporary perspective on superior vena cava syndrome
Article Abstract:
Obstruction of the superior vena cava (the large vein which returns blood to the heart from the upper half of the body) can be responsible for life-threatening fluid retention in the brain and larynx (voice box). However, in most cases the occlusion of the superior vena cava (SVC) progresses slowly with the collateral (additional) circulation gradually enlarging; this causes mild symptoms of headache, blurry vision and face and neck swelling. A retrospective study of 12 years of experience with SVC syndrome was undertaken to identify the presenting findings and the common causes. The impact of new diagnostic tests and therapies for SVC syndrome are examined. There were 45 patients with SVC identified, and the average age was 54. These patients initially had symptoms of shortness of breath (71 percent), headache (11 percent), difficulty swallowing (9 percent), cough (4 percent) and disturbed vision (4 percent). The underlying causes of SVC were malignant disease in 42 of 45 patients (93 percent), which was most often lung cancer. Computed tomography (CT) was the most frequently used diagnostic test; this identified the SVC occlusion in all patients who had the scan. Of the 42 patients with cancer, 33 patients achieved relief of symptoms through chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy; the average patient survival was three months. The most common cause of death was respiratory arrest. Three patients had non-cancer related causes of the SVC syndrome; they underwent surgery which restored blood flow and relieved symptoms for at least three years. It is concluded that when the cause of SVC is cancer, the outlook is poor, however, patients with other causes may be successfully treated with surgery. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Surgery
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9610
Year: 1990
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Valvular xenografts in the inferior vena cava
Article Abstract:
Valves prevent blood from backing up as it passes through the veins and the heart. Nonfunctioning valves are involved in most cases of chronic venous insufficiency, in which deoxygenated blood has difficulty flowing through veins back to the heart. Experience with heart valves suggests their use in areas other than the heart. Valves from another species were grafted into the inferior vena cava of 22 dogs. The blood flow through the vena cava, the largest vein which brings blood back to the heart from the lower extremities, remained unobstructed for 28 months in 12 valves. There were plausible explanations for failure in eight of the ten unsuccessful units. Valves that remained unobstructed worked with only a small pressure difference between one side of the valve and the other, and there was no evidence of pulmonary emboli (the blood vessels of the lungs being blocked by fragments of blood clots formed elsewhere, usually the lower extremities). Tests showed the valves functioning adequately in six out of the eight dogs, even though physical examination after death revealed that the valves were damaged and that their leaflets had degenerated to fibrous matter. (The leaflets of a valve are like a set of double doors that opens only one way to let blood through.) Thus it is possible for valve transplants from another species to remain unobstructed in the vena cava, but questions remain about design requirements for artificial valves for veins.
Publication Name: American Journal of Surgery
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9610
Year: 1989
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In-vitro evaluation of a new inferior vena cava filter- The stent filter
Article Abstract:
The effectiveness of a new inferior vena cava filter to intercept emboli in an in-vitro setting is examined.Under in-vitro conditions, the new filter was effective in the interception of the thrombi.
Publication Name: Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Subject: Health
ISSN: 1538-5744
Year: 2004
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