Central Venous Catheter-Associated Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

Cureus. 2023 Apr 18;15(4):e37756. doi: 10.7759/cureus.37756. eCollection 2023 Apr.

Abstract

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is caused by any obstruction to the superior vena cava (SVC); the most common causes are malignancy and extrinsic compression. The use of medical devices, such as central venous catheters, poses an important risk factor, as they cause changes in the blood flow and in the vessel wall. This report describes a case of a 70-year-old male with an implantable central venous port, due to previous neoplastic disease, as the cause of the SVCS. Authors advise that the placement of medical devices ought to be carefully accessed and constantly revised to be removed when no longer needed to prevent avoidable complications.

Keywords: central venous catheter thrombosis; implantable venous port; superior vena cava syndrome; superior vena cava thrombosis; venous stenting.

Publication types

  • Case Reports