Causas anatómicas inusuales de malposición de catéteres venosos centrales / Unusual anatomical causes of malposition of central venous catheters

Resumen: La malposición de los catéteres venosos centrales se asocia a importantes riesgos, a menudo infraestimados. Aunque se han descrito algunos factores que pueden favorecer la malposición, generalmente su causa no llega a diagnosticarse y parece ser de origen multifactorial. Presentamos dos casos de malposición de catéteres venosos centrales motivadas por causas anatómicas inusuales, diagnosticadas en el perioperatorio. En el primer caso, se diagnostica una agenesia de vena cava superior en el transcurso de una sustitución mitral por esternotomía, que lógicamente se asocia con una malposición de la vía central insertada. La utilización de catéteres y dispositivos a través de venas yugulares y subclavias en pacientes con esta infrecuente patología implica importantes limitaciones y complicaciones potenciales graves. En el segundo caso, la existencia de un bocio no diagnosticado provoca la malposición bilateral y simultánea de dos catéteres venosos canalizados, en el contexto de una situación de emergencia, en ambas venas yugulares internas.

Abstract: Malposition of central venous catheters is associated with important and underestimated risks. Although some factors have been related with malposition, its cause is generally not diagnosed, and it seems to have multifactorial origin. We present two cases of central venous catheter malposition due to unusual anatomical causes, diagnosed in the perioperative period. In the first case, superior vena cava agenesis was diagnosed during mitral replacement by sternotomy, which was logically associated with malposition of the inserted central line. The use of catheters and devices through jugular and subclavian veins in patients with this infrequent pathology is associated with important limitations and serious potential complications. In the second case, an undiagnosed goiter causes bilateral and simultaneous malpositioning of two inserted central venous catheters, in the context of an emergency situation, in both internal jugular veins.

Left Main Coronary Artery Aneurysm with Fistula to Superior Vena Cava: A Challenging Case

Coronary artery fistulas (CAFs) are rare congenital coronary artery abnormalities, with direct communication between a coronary artery and a cardiac chamber, great vessel or other structure. We report here, a rare case of a 25?year?old male with CAF from the aneurysmal left main coronary artery to the superior vena cava detected on echocardiography and computerized tomography (CT) coronary angiography

Direct Anastomosis of Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava to Right Superior Vena Cava in a Pediatric Patient with Tetralogy of Fallot: an Alternative Technique

ABSTRACT The presence of persistent left superior vena cava to the left atrium connection without an innominate vein may give rise to technical challenges during intracardiac repair. In this report, the end-to-side anastomosis technique of the persistent left superior vena cava to the right superior vena cava is discussed in a patient with tetralogy of Fallot associated with persistent left superior vena cava draining directly into the left atrium. A successful end-to-side anastomosis between the persistent left superior vena cava and the right superior vena cava was performed and short-term anastomosis patency was documented via angiography.

Implante de marcapasos a través de la vena cava superior izquierda persistente por ausencia de vena cava superior derecha. Reporte de un caso / Pacemaker implantation through the persistent left superior vena cava due to the absence of the right superior vena cava. Report of a case / Implante de marcapasso pela veia cava superior esquerda persistente devido à ausência da veia cava superior direita. Relato de um caso

Resumen: Introducción: la persistencia de la vena cava superior izquierda (PVCSI) tiene una prevalencia de 0.21% en la población general. Presentación del caso: masculino de 67 años de edad diagnosticado con bloqueo auriculoventricular (AV) de tercer grado y que requirió colocación de marcapasos; sin embargo, debido a la ausencia de la vena cava superior derecha, corroborado por angiotomografía, se colocó marcapasos definitivo a través de la vena cava superior izquierda persistente. Conclusión: la persistencia de la vena cava superior izquierda (PVCSI) es la anomalía venosa torácica más común. Puede causar una serie de síntomas clínicamente significativos, incluso en un corazón con anatomía normal. La colocación de marcapasos dificulta la fijación del electrodo debido al recorrido tortuoso que genera.

Abstract: Introduction: the persistence of the left superior vena cava (PLSVC) has a prevalence of 0.21% in the general population. Case presentation: 67-year-old male diagnosed with third-degree AV block, requiring pacemaker placement. However, due to the absence of a right superior vena cava, corroborated by CT angiography, a definitive pacemaker was placed through a persistent left superior vena cava. Conclusion: the persistence of the left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is the most common thoracic venous anomaly. It can cause a number of clinically significant symptoms, even in a heart with normal anatomy. Pacemaker placement makes electrode fixation difficult due to tortuous travel.

Resumo: Introdução: a persistência da veia cava superior esquerda (PVCSI) tem uma prevalência de 0.21% na população geral. Apresentação do caso: Homem de 67 anos com diagnóstico de bloqueio AV de terceiro grau, necessitando de colocação de marcapasso. No entanto, devido à ausência da veia cava superior direita, corroborada pela angiotomografia, colocou-se marcapasso definitivo através da veia cava superior esquerda persistente. Conclusão: a persistência da veia cava superior esquerda (PVCSI) é a anomalia venosa torácica mais comum. Pode causar uma série de sintomas clinicamente significativos, mesmo em um coração com anatomia normal. A colocação do marcapasso dificulta a fixação do eletrodo devido ao trajeto tortuoso.

Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest in Median Sternotomy Hemorrhage During Redo Aortic Surgery

ABSTRACT Introduction: This study summarizes the clinical data of patients who developed sternotomy hemorrhage during redo aortic surgery and analyzes the clinical experience of using hypothermic circulatory arrest. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients who developed sternotomy hemorrhage during redo aortic surgery from May 2018 to August 2021. General anesthesia with single-lumen tracheal intubation was used. Femoral artery, vein, and superior vena cava cannulation were used if cardiopulmonary bypass was required according to the situation, and right superior vein or apical cannulation was selected for left heart drainage. Results: A total of 11 patients were enrolled in this study, comprising nine males and two females, with an average age of 44.3±16.7 years. All cases were successfully completed without cerebrovascular complications or paraplegia. Two patients died during hospitalization, two patients died during the follow-up after discharge, and the remaining patients are recovering well. Conclusion: The femoral-femoral bypass with hypothermic circulatory arrest technique is a safe and reliable method to use in cases of sternotomy hemorrhage during redo aortic surgery.

The haemodynamic effects of umbilical cord milking in term infants: a randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION@#Umbilical cord milking (UCM) is a method that allows for postnatal placental transfusion. The benefits of UCM have been demonstrated in some studies, but knowledge about its haemodynamic effects in term infants is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the haemodynamic effects of UCM in term infants.@*METHODS@#In this prospective, randomised controlled study, 149 healthy term infants with a birth week of ≥37 weeks were randomly assigned to either the UCM or immediate cord clamping (ICC) group. Blinded echocardiographic evaluations were performed in all the neonates in the first 2-6 h.@*RESULTS@#Superior vena cava (SVC) flow measurements were higher in the UCM group compared to the ICC group (132.47 ± 37.0 vs. 126.62 ± 34.3 mL/kg/min), but this difference was not statistically significant. Left atrial diameter (12.23 ± 1.99 vs. 11.43 ± 1.78 mm) and left atrium-to-aorta diastolic diameter ratio (1.62 ± 0.24 vs. 1.51 ± 0.22) were significantly higher in the UCM group. There were no significant differences in other echocardiographic parameters between the two groups.@*CONCLUSION@#We found no significant difference in the SVC flow measurements in term infants who underwent UCM versus those who underwent ICC. This lack of significant difference in SVC flow may be explained by the mature cerebral autoregulation mechanism in term neonates.

Clinical analysis of 50 children with superior vena cava syndrome combined with malignant tumors / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective:To summarize and analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) with malignant tumors in children, and to improve the understanding of its clinical management.Methods:Clinical data of 50 children with SVCS combined with malignant tumors treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from November 2010 to May 2022 were analyzed retrospectively.The pathological types, clinical manifestations, imaging examination, treatment and prognosis were summarized.The overall survival (OS) rate and event-free survival (EFS) rate were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier method.Results:Among the 50 cases, 38 were males and 12 were females, with a male/female ratio of 3.2∶1.0.The median onset was 12.5 (8.0, 14.5) years, and the most common onset occurred in adolescence (66.0%, 33/50). Cough (80.0%, 40/50) was the most common clinical manifestation, followed by face and neck edema (66.0%, 33/50), chest tightness (56.0%, 28/50) and dyspnea (50.0%, 25/50). All the 50 cases were confirmed by histopathological examination, 39 cases(78.0%) were diagnosed as non-Hodgkin′s lymphoma (NHL). NHL was the most common malignant tumor, of which T-lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) accounted for 74.4%(29/39). All the 50 cases were examined by CT examination, involving 42 cases (84.0%) detected with mediastinal masses.Pleural effusion (86.0%, 43/50) and pericardial effusion (70.0%, 35/50) were common imaging findings.The 3-year OS rate and EFS rate of them were 59.7% and 57.9%, respectively.The 3-year OS rate and EFS rate of the 39 children with NHL were 62.9% and 60.9%, respectively.Conclusions:Children with malignant tumors complicated with SVCS are featured by the acute onset, rapid progress and poor prognosis.NHL is the most common cause, especially T-LBL.Cough, edema of face and neck, chest tightness and dyspnea are common clinical manifestations.Early detection and treatment contribute to save children′s lives.

Brachiocephalic Vein and Superior Vena Cava Reconstruction with a Superficial Femoral Vein Graft

Abstract Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is an entity that has become more frequent due to the increasing use of indwelling central venous catheters. Surgical management is considered in patients with extensive venous thrombosis and when endovascular therapy is not feasible. The use of superficial femoral vein is an excellent technique for reconstruction of the brachiocephalic vein and superior vena cava (SVC) in cases with benign and malignant etiologies. We describe two cases of SVCS that were managed surgically at our institution with replacement of the SVC and brachiocephalic veins with a superficial femoral vein graft technique.

Superior vena cava syndrome management in limited source setting: a casereport

Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is syndrome caused by mass compression, tumor invasion, and/or thrombosis of SVC. In the past, SVCS was mostly linked to infection. Nowadays, SVCS is mostly linked to malignant tumor and medical procedures. Most common malignant cause of SVCS is non small cell lung cancer.A 69-year-old man was presented with breathing difficulty. Symptom began 4 months before admission, with worsening of symptom since 2 weeks before admission. Symptom improved with sitting position, and worsened with supine position. Patient had been sleeping with 2 pillows. Patient had productive cough and hoarseness. Swelling of face and neck were present. Collateral vein distention was visible in the area of head, neck, and chest. Physical examination of lung revealed decreased vesicular breath sound at right side. Non pitting edemawas found at both sides of upper extremity.SVCS in this case can be categorized into grade 2, chronic SVCS case. CT showed center right lung mass, although malignant cells were not obtained from pleural puncture and CT guided needle biopsy. Staging of mass was T4N3M1a. Mass finding at the center of right lung is in accordance with the previous findings that SVCS generally arise from lung (not mediastinum), and that right sided masses are generally more likely to cause SVCS. Management in this case was done by giving corticosteroid and diuretic. Surgery, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy were not done since malignancy diagnosis hadn抰 been able to be concluded.

A case of superior vena cava syndrome

Superior Vena Cava Syndrome is the clinical manifestation of the Superior Vena Cava obstruction, with severe reduction in venous return from the head, neck and upper extremities. More than 80% cases of SVCS is nearly attributable to advanced malignancy, most commonly lung cancer. SVC syndrome is characterized by congestion and swelling of the face and upper thorax, with distended superficial chest veins. The most severe complications of SVC syndrome include Glottic edema and venous thrombosis in the central nervous system. We represent a case SVC syndrome due to Small Cell Cancer of the lung.

Transcatheter management of post-surgical superior vena cava obstruction

Obstruction of the superior vena cava (SVC) is a rare complication after cardiac surgery in infants and children. We present the case of a 2-year-old male child who underwent surgery to repair a mixed total anomalous pulmonary venous connection. After 18 months of surgery, the child developed SVC syndrome. Transcatheter stenting was performed to relieve the SVC obstruction detected with transthoracic echocardiography. The patient was discharged after 5 days of hospitalization. The patient was doing well at follow-up appointments, with good laminar flow through the stent. In conclusion, transcatheter management of post-surgical complications of SVC obstruction was successful in this patient.

Síndrome de vena cava superior: una serie de casos consecutivos en pacientes internados en un hospital terciario universitario / Superior vena cava syndrome: a consecutive case series of in-hospital patients in a tertiary teaching hospital

Introducción: el síndrome de vena cava superior resulta de la obstrucción del flujo sanguíneo a través de este vaso. Casi la totalidad de los casos en la actualidad se asocian con tumores malignos. Existen controversias acerca del manejo apropiado de este cuadro. Actualmente, las terapias endovasculares son consideradas de elección. Materiales y métodos: se recolectaron y describieron, a partir de datos de la historia clínica electrónica, los casos de pacientes mayores de 18 años internados ­de forma consecutiva, que desarrollaron el síndrome­ en el Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires en 2021. Se constataron las características basales, los tratamientos recibidos y los desenlaces clínicos intrahospitaliarios de cada uno de ellos. Resultados: un total de cinco pacientes fueron incluidos en el presente estudio y seguidos durante su instancia intrahospitalaria. Todos los casos descriptos fueron secundarios a enfermedades oncológicas. La mayoría de los pacientes presentaron un cuadro de moderada gravedad según las escalas utilizadas. En cuatro de cinco pacientes se optó por terapias endovasculares y dos de ellos fallecieron durante la internación. Discusión: existen controversias respecto del tratamiento óptimo del síndrome de vena cava superior, y heterogeneidad en la práctica clínica. Los estudios futuros deberían centrarse en identificar a aquellos pacientes que más probablemente se beneficien de las estrategias terapéuticas endovasculares, anticoagulantes o antiagregantes. (AU)

Introduction: superior vena cava syndrome results from an obstruction of blood flow through this vessel. Currently, almost all cases are associated with malignancies. There are controversies about the optimal management of this syndrome. Endovascular therapies are considered the first-line therapy. Material and methods: we collected clinical, laboratory and pharmacological data from patients admitted at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, between January 1st and November 1st 2021 with a diagnosis o superior vein cava syndrome. Baseline characteristics, treatment strategies and clinical outcomes were recorded. Results: a total of five patients were included in the present study. All cases were malignancy-related. Most of the patientsdeveloped moderate symptoms. Four out of five patients were treated with endovascular therapies and two patients died during hospitalization. Discussion: controversies regarding optimal management of the superior vena cava syndrome remain. Future research should focus on identifying those patients who are most likely to benefit from endovascular, anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapeutic strategies. (AU)

Double-sided superior vena cava: developmental considerations associated with the thymic veins / Vena cava superior de doble cara: consideraciones de desarrollo asociadas con las venas tímicas

SUMMARY: The superior vena cava is usually located only on the right side, but persistence of the left superior vena cavais observed in about 0.3 to 0.5 % of adults. A routine dissection of the cadaver of a 91-year-old Japanese female, whose cause of death was sepsis due to cholecystitis, was performed at Nagasaki University and revealed a double-sided superior vena cava. On the right side, the superior vena cava opened to the right atrium, while on the left, it opened into the extended coronary sinus. Veins in the left head, neck and upper limb regions joined to form the persistent left superior vena cava, with eventual drainage into the expanded coronary vein. An anastomosing branch occurred between each superior vena cava, and two thymic veins opened to the anastomosing branch. The azygos vein in the azygos venous system opened into the right superior vena cava, whereas a hemi-azygos vein opened into the azygos vein. The accessory hemi-azygos vein also opened into the azygos vein and opened cranially into the left superior vena cava. The left supreme intercostal vein also opened into the left superior vena cava. Several studies have reported a persistent left superior vena cava and the various considerations for its occurrence. Here, we propose a new hypothesis for the embryonic development of the persistent left superior vena cava with the thymic vein. This hypothesis essentially states that the left brachiocephalic vein fails to mature due to inadequate venous return from the thymic vein during the embryonic period, and the left superior vena cava then remains to maintain venous return from the left head, neck and upper limb. We also discuss the clinical significance of the persistent left superior vena cava.

RESUMEN: Usualmente la vena cava superior se localiza solo en el lado derecho, sin embargo en aproximadamente 0,3 a 0,5 % de los adultos se observa la persistencia de la vena cava superior izquierda. En la Universidad de Nagasaki se realizó una disección de rutina del cadáver de una mujer japonesa de 91 años, cuya causa de muerte fue sepsis debido a una colecistitis. El cuerpo presentaba una vena cava superior doble. En el lado derecho, la vena cava superior llegaba al atrio derecho, mientras que en el lado izquierdo drenaba al seno coronario. Las venas de las regiones de la cabeza, el cuello y del miembro superior izquierdo formaban la vena cava superior izquierda persistente, con drenaje hacia la vena coronaria. Se observó una rama anastomótica entre cada vena cava superior y dos venas tímicas drenaban a la rama anastomótica. La vena ácigos drenaba a la vena cava superior derecha, mientras que una vena hemiácigos drenaba a la vena ácigos. La vena hemiácigos accesoria también drnaba en la vena ácigos y cranealmente lo hacia la vena cava superior izquierda. La vena intercostal suprema izquierda drenaba en la vena cava superior izquierda. Varios estudios han informado una vena cava superior izquierda persistente y las diversas consideraciones para su aparición. Aquí, proponemos una nueva hipótesis para el desarrollo embrionario de la vena cava superior izquierda persistente con la vena tímica, que esencialmente establece que la vena braquiocefálica izquierda no se dearrolla debido a un retorno venoso inadecuado de la vena tímica durante el período embrionario, y se mantiene la vena cava superior izquierda para el retorno venoso de la cabeza, el cuello y el miembro superior izquierdo. Además se informa de la importancia clínica de la persistencia de la vena cava superior izquierda.

Two-Stage Intracardiac Repair for Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (Ib+Ib) with a Persistent Left Superior vena cava and an Enlarged Coronary Sinus / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

This study reports the case of a 0-day-old girl who was transferred to our hospital for suspected total anomalous pulmonary venous return due to her postnatal cyanosis. After she was presented at our hospital, pulmonary vein stenosis was diagnosed and emergency surgery was planned. Preoperative computed tomography showed abnormal perfusion of the pulmonary veins into the left and right superior vena cava separately on the left and right sides. Given that the persistent left superior vena cava was refluxing into the coronary sinus, the coronary sinus was enlarged greatly, and the left atrial volume was small. In the neonatal period, the right pulmonary vein was anastomosed to the right atrium, and the left pulmonary vein was anastomosed to the unroofed coronary sinus. Thereafter, at 4 months of age, the patient underwent two-stage intracardiac repair with re-routing of the right pulmonary vein and extracardiac ligation of the left vena cava. The postoperative course was good. Intracardiac repair via a two-stage surgery was effective for total anomalous pulmonary venous return (Ib+Ib) with a persistent left superior vena cava and an enlarged coronary sinus.

Risk factors analysis of hypotension in patients with hemodialysis-related superior vena cava diseases / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective:To explore the risk factors of hypotension in patients with hemodialysis-related superior vena cava diseases.Methods:This was a retrospective cohort study. The maintenance hemodialysis patients diagnosed as superior vena cava stenosis ≥50% or occlusion in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2022 were selected. The patients were divided into hypotensive group and non-hypotensive group according to the occurrence of hypotension during non-dialysis period. The differences of general clinical data, cardiac ultrasound parameters and blood biochemical indexes between the two groups were compared. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors of hypotension in patients with hemodialysis-related superior vena cava lesions.Results:A total of 202 patients with hemodialysis-related superior vena cava lesions were included, of whom 84 patients (41.6%) developed hypotension during non-dialysis. Compared with the non-hypotensive group, patients in the hypotensive group had longer dialysis age ( Z=2.093, P=0.036), shorter left atrial diameter ( t=2.316, P=0.022), lower aortic valve orifice flow rate ( t=3.702, P=0.001) and serum calcium ( t=2.320, P=0.021), thicker left ventricular posterior wall ( t=3.042, P=0.003), lower proportions of hypertension history ( χ2=9.125, P=0.003), and higher proportion of residual superior vena cava ≤30% or occlusion ( χ2=8.940, P=0.003) and azygous vein opening ( χ2=11.067, P=0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis results showed that no history of hypertension ( OR=0.383, 95% CI 0.156-0.943, P=0.037), slow aortic valve orifice flow ( OR=0.207, 95% CI 0.062-0.695, P=0.011) and low blood calcium ( OR=0.236, 95% CI 0.066-0.841, P=0.026) were the independent influencing factors of hypotension in patients with hemodialysis-related superior vena cava diseases. Conclusions:Hemodialysis patients with severe stenosis or occlusion of the superior vena cava during non-dialysis have a higher risk of hypotension. No history of hypertension, slow aortic valve orifice flow, and low blood calcium are the independent risk factors of hypotension in patients with hemodialysis-related superior vena cava diseases.

Damage control surgery for thoracic outlet vascular injuries: the new resuscitative median sternotomy plus REBOA / Cirugía de control de daños para lesiones del opérculo torácico: nuevo abordaje mediante esternotomía mediana y REBOA

Abstract Thoracic vascular trauma is associated with high mortality and is the second most common cause of death in patients with trauma following head injuries. Less than 25% of patients with a thoracic vascular injury arrive alive to the hospital and more than 50% die within the first 24 hours. Thoracic trauma with the involvement of the great vessels is a surgical challenge due to the complex and restricted anatomy of these structures and its association with adjacent organ damage. This article aims to delineate the experience obtained in the surgical management of thoracic vascular injuries via the creation of a practical algorithm that includes basic principles of damage control surgery. We have been able to show that the early application of a resuscitative median sternotomy together with a zone 1 resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in hemodynamically unstable patients with thoracic outlet vascular injuries improves survival by providing rapid stabilization of central aortic pressure and serving as a bridge to hemorrhage control. Damage control surgery principles should also be implemented when indicated, followed by definitive repair once the correction of the lethal diamond has been achieved. To this end, we have developed a six-step management algorithm that illustrates the surgical care of patients with thoracic outlet vascular injuries according to the American Association of the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) classification.

Resumen El trauma vascular torácico está asociado con una alta mortalidad y es la segunda causa más común de muerte en pacientes con trauma después del trauma craneoencefálico. Se estima que menos del 25% de los pacientes con una lesión vascular torácica alcanzan a llegar con vida para recibir atención hospitalaria y más del 50% fallecen en las primeras 24 horas. El trauma torácico penetrante con compromiso de los grandes vasos es un problema quirúrgico dado a su severidad y la asociación con lesiones a órganos adyacentes. El objetivo de este artículo es presentar la experiencia en el manejo quirúrgico de las lesiones del opérculo torácico con la creación de un algoritmo de manejo quirúrgico en seis pasos prácticos de seguir basados en la clasificación de la AAST. que incluye los principios básicos del control de daños. La esternotomía mediana de resucitación junto con la colocación de un balón de resucitación de oclusión aortica (Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta - REBOA) en zona 1 permiten un control primario de la hemorragia y mejoran la sobrevida de los pacientes con trauma del opérculo torácico e inestabilidad hemodinámica.

Síndrome de vena cava superior en pediatría. Una revisión de la literatura / Superior vena cava syndrome in pediatrics. A review of the literature

Las urgencias oncológicas son un reto para el clínico. El síndrome de vena cava superior es una emergencia hemato-oncológica en pediatría, el cual se define como la obstrucción intrínseca o extrínseca de la vena cava superior. La clínica más frecuente en pediatría es la aparición de circulación colateral, edema en esclavina y cianosis facial. El diagnóstico es clínico y debe hacerse lo menos invasivamente posible y de una manera rápida, para iniciar cuanto antes su manejo. Los linfomas, el uso prolongado de catéter venoso central y la cirugía cardiovascular en cardiopatías congénitas, son las principales etiologías. En algunas ocasiones, puede ser necesario un tratamiento empírico para salvar la vida del paciente, mediante el uso de esteroides y radioterapia. El objetivo del presente artículo es revisar y actualizar los aspectos más importantes sobre la etiología, las manifestaciones clínicas, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento del síndrome de vena cava superior en pediatría

Oncological emergencies are a challenge for the clinician. The superior vena cava syndrome is a hemato-oncological emergency in pediatrics; it is defined as an intrinsic or extrinsic obstruction of the superior vena cava. The most frequent clinical manifestations in children are the appearance of collateral circulation, edema in the body and facial cyanosis. The diagnosis is clinical and should been done as little invasively as possible and without delay to start its management as soon as possible. Lymphomas, prolonged use of a central venous catheter, and cardiovascular surgery in congenital heart disease are the main etiologies. In some cases, empirical treatment may be necessary to save the patient's life, through the use of steroids and radiotherapy. The aim of this article is to review and update the most important aspects of the etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of the superior vena cava syndrome in pediatrics

Comparative analysis of the treatment of partial anomalous pulmonary vein connection by double-patch method or Warden Technique / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective:To compare the surgical and long-term follow-up results of partial anomalous pulmonary vein connection treated by double-patch method or Warden Technique.Methods:There were 33 cases of right pulmonary vein connected with the superior vena cava from May 2010 to May 2019 in our center treated by double-patch method or Warden technique. 21 cases were treated by double-patch method and 12 cases by Warden technique. Echocardiography and electrocardiogram were followed up regularly to observe the occurrence of arrhythmia, superior vena cava stenosis and pulmonary vein stenosis postoperatively.Results:All patients were discharged uneventfully, and were followed up for 1~8 years. In double-patch group, 2 cases with arrhythmia, 1 of whom was junctional arrhythmia which was automatically converted to sinus rhythm 1 day after surgery. The other had an early second degree atrioventricular block after surgery, and sinus rhythm was restored 3 days later with temporary pacemaker. 1 case had superior vena cava stenosis by echocardiography(PD 8 mmHg). No arrhythmia was found in long-term follow-up in Warden group. 2 cases had superior vena cava stenosis by echocardiography(PD 6 mmHg). Right pulmonary vein stenosis(PD 8 mmHg) was found in 1 case by echocardiography, no obvious aggravation was found in long-term follow-up.Conclusion:The double-patch method and Warden Technique are both safe and effective in the treatment of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection.

Efficacy of angioplasty for tunneled cuffed catheter placement in hemodialysis patients with superior vena cava occlusion / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of angioplasty on percutaneous superior vena cava occlusion in hemodialysis patients with tunnel-cuffed catheter (TCC) under digital subtraction angiography (DSA) guidance.Methods:A total of 62 hemodialysis patients with TCC in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from December 2017 to June 2020 were enrolled retrospectively. According to the patency of the superior vena cava, the patients were divided into experiment group ( n=20) and control group ( n=42) in this study. Hemodialysis patients with superior vena cava occlusion in the experiment group received angioplasty, including balloon angioplasty, stenting and sharp recanalization, and catheterization with TCC under DSA guidance, while hemodialysis patients without superior vena cava occlusion in the control group only underwent catheterization with TCC under DSA guidance. The 1-year TCC patency rate, postoperative TCC blood flow and treatment-related complications between the two groups were compared. Results:In the experiment group, a total of 11 patients were treated only by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, while 9 patients were treated combined percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stent placement. In addition, 3 patients underwent sharp recanalization of superior vena cava occlusion. A total of 9 stents and 29 balloons were used. The course of dialysis in experiment group was longer than that in control group ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the 1-year TCC patency rate (85.0% vs 95.2%, P>0.05), postoperative TCC blood flow [(257.83±16.55) ml/min vs (251.90±18.79) ml/min, P>0.05] and incidence of treatment-related complications (grade 1-2, 30.0% vs 35.7%, P>0.05) between the two groups, respectively. Patients in the two groups had none of serious operation-related complications, and only some patients had mild clinical manifestations, such as postoperative pain and bleeding at the puncture point. Conclusions:For patients with longer duration of hemodialysis and superior vena cava stenosis and occlusion treated with angioplasty, the clinical effect of TCC within one year is equivalent to that of hemodialysis patients without angioplasty.

Fibrinolytic therapy in newborns with superior vena cava syndrome. case report

ABSTRACT Introduction: Superior vena cava syndrome is described as the obstruction of blood flow through the superior vena cava. The literature reports that the incidence of this pathology varies from 1 case in every 650 inhabitants and 1 case in every 3 100 inhabitants. Since this condition is very rare in the pediatric population, no clear figure has been reported regarding its incidence in children. The use of a central venous catheter in newborns is a risk factor for this condition, as it may cause a thrombus due to the inflammatory reaction against the device. Therefore, it is necessary to initiate anticoagulation management and remove the catheter. Case presentation: Premature male newborn, (31.4 weeks gestation), with acute respiratory distress syndrome, early neonatal sepsis, pneumonia, necrotizing enterocolitis on 2 occasions, intestinal obstruction due to adhesions and intestinal volvulus. At 90 days of age, he presented thrombosis of the superior vena cava without involvement of the jugular and subclavian vein junction in the right atrium. Anticoagulant management was started, but given his unfavorable evolution, a multidisciplinary medical board was held to assess the risks, benefits, and treatment options in this age group. It was decided to start intracavitary tissue plasminogen activator treatment associated with mechanical thrombectomy and angioplasty of the superior vena cava. Due to the difficulty of conducting clinical trials in this population and the rates of major bleeding complications obtained with thrombolytic therapies, there is very little information available on the use of tissue plasminogen activator in newborns. For this reason, alteplase is seldom considered as the therapy of choice. However, in patients with life-threatening thrombosis, such as the present case, the results obtained in adults could be extrapolated in search of a favorable outcome. Conclusions: Fibrinolytic therapy is a way to reduce the size of the thrombus, but it dramatically increases the risk of bleeding; consequently, these patients must be strictly monitored. In pediatric populations, due to the diameter of the blood vessels, thrombectomy is difficult to perform; additionally, recurrent thrombosis and the need for transfusion of blood products are frequent.

RESUMEN Introducción. El síndrome de vena cava superior es la obstrucción del flujo sanguíneo a través de la misma. La incidencia de esta patología varía entre 1 caso por cada 650 habitantes y 1 caso por cada 3 100 habitantes. Al ser una condición de muy baja frecuencia en población pediátrica, no se ha reportado una cifra clara con respecto a la incidencia en niños. El uso de catéter venoso central en recién nacidos es un factor de riesgo para esta condición, ya que puede causar un trombo originado por la reacción inflamatoria al dispositivo, por lo que es necesario iniciar manejo anticoagulante y retirar el catéter. Presentación del caso. Paciente masculino prematuro (31 semanas y 4 días de gestación) con síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda, sepsis neonatal temprana, neumonía, enterocolitis necrotizante en 2 ocasiones, obstrucción intestinal por bridas y vólvulo intestinal. A los 90 días de vida presentó trombosis de la vena cava superior sin compromiso del confluente yugulosubclavio de la aurícula derecha. Se inició manejo anticoagulante, pero dada la evolución desfavorable se realizó junta médica multidisciplinaria donde se evaluaron los riesgos, beneficios y opciones de tratamiento en este grupo etario y se decidió realizar trombectomía mecánica y angioplastia de la vena cava superior. Debido a la dificultad para realizar ensayos clínicos en recién nacidos y las tasas de complicaciones hemorrágicas mayores obtenidas con las terapias trombolíticas, es muy poca la información disponible sobre el uso del activador tisular de plasminógeno en esta población; por esto también es muy inusual que se considere a la alteplasa como terapia de elección. Sin embargo, en pacientes con trombosis potencialmente mortales, como el del caso presentado, se podrían extrapolar los resultados obtenidos en los adultos en búsqueda de una evolución favorable. Conclusiones. El manejo fibrinolítico es una opción para reducir el tamaño del trombo, pero aumenta notoriamente el riesgo de sangrado, por lo que se necesita vigilancia estricta del paciente. En población pediátrica, debido al diámetro de los vasos sanguíneos, es complejo realizar trombectomía mecánica; adicionalmente, es frecuente que se presente trombosis recurrente y se necesite trasfundir hemoderivados.