Narrow Escape: A Novel Approach to the Endovascular Treatment of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Secondary to Pacemaker Leads with Excellent Long-term Outcomes

Yury Malyshev; Sergey Ayzenberg; Sonu Sahni; Mazin Khalid; Jeffrey Le

doi:10.7759/cureus.7249

Narrow Escape: A Novel Approach to the Endovascular Treatment of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Secondary to Pacemaker Leads with Excellent Long-term Outcomes

Cureus. 2020 Mar 12;12(3):e7249. doi: 10.7759/cureus.7249.

Authors

Yury Malyshev¹, Sergey Ayzenberg¹, Sonu Sahni^{2

3

4}, Mazin Khalid¹, Jeffrey Le¹

Affiliations

¹ Cardiology, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, USA.
² Internal Medicine, Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, Brooklyn, USA.
³ Research Medicine, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York, USA.
⁴ Primary Care, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York, USA.

Abstract

Pacemaker or defibrillator placement is a common procedure done in more and more patients due to increased longevity and the prominence of cardiac disease. With more indications for cardiac implantable electrode devices, the devices themselves have evolved into more complex structures with more leads. The mechanical stress, risk of infection, and decreased blood flow through the superior vena cava (SVC) put patients at risk for SVC obstruction. Herein, we present a rare case of complete SVC obstruction secondary to fibrosis due to pacemaker leads which was treated with venoplasty and showed excellent long-term results. We also review the current literature on different approaches to treating SVC obstruction in this group of patients.

Keywords: balloon angioplasty; interventional cardiology; lead complication; pacemaker complication; permanent pacemaker (ppm) complication; superior vena cava (svc) obstruction; superior vena cava (svc) syndrome.

Publication types

Case Reports