Cardiac tamponade after malignant superior vena cava stenting: Two case reports and brief review of the literature

Acta Radiol. 2010 Apr;51(3):256-9. doi: 10.3109/02841850903578807.

Abstract

Percutaneous stenting of the superior vena cava (SVC) is usually recommended as a palliative procedure for malignant SVC obstruction with low reported morbidity. Complications are uncommon and usually of minor consequence. We report two unusual cases of cardiac tamponade following SVC stenting in patients with malignant SVC syndrome. Echocardiography allows rapid diagnosis and guides pericardial drainage in the interventional radiology suite.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / complications
  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / complications
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / complications
  • Cardiac Tamponade / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cardiac Tamponade / etiology*
  • Cardiac Tamponade / therapy
  • Drainage / methods
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging*
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Postoperative Complications / therapy
  • Stents / adverse effects*
  • Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / complications
  • Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / surgery*
  • Ultrasonography
  • Vena Cava, Superior / diagnostic imaging*
  • Vena Cava, Superior / surgery