A study of inferior vena cava obstruction.

ABSTRACT

Inferior Vena Cava obstruction as a major cause of hepatic venous outflow block is not so common. A prospective study of 20 cases gave us an opportunity to device a management protocol for this disorder. Out of 20 cases we had studied, 12 had only inferior Vena Cava obstruction while rest of the 8 cases had both hepatic vein and IVC blockade. However, balloon cavoplasty showed remarkable results with substantial clinical and haemodynamic improvement in cases with isolated IVC obstruction. Therefore, we suggest that patients with IVC obstruction should be actively managed with Vena-cavography followed by cavoplasty. Treatment of Hepatic venous obstruction along with IVC obstruction is controversial; bypass shunt is usually required and long term follow-up studies are required to establish safety and efficacy.