Endovascular repair of an iatrogenic superior vena caval injury: A case report
Received 20 February 2007; accepted 3 April 2007.
We present the case of a patient with an iatrogenic injury to the superior vena cava during a central venous catheter placement. The vena cava was perforated when a left subclavian dialysis catheter was placed. The perforation in the right side of the vena cava occurred at the confluence of the innominate veins. This perforation was successfully repaired using a 10 mm Viabahn stent graft (W. L. Gore, Flagstaff, Ariz) delivered through a femoral approach. The stent graft was deployed as the dialysis catheter was removed. This case demonstrates the utility of stent graft repair of the superior vena cava in emergency situations.
Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center, Memorial Hermann Heart and Vascular Institute, Houston, Tex.
Reprint requests: Ali Azizzadeh, MD, Assistant Professor, 6410 Fannin, Suite 450, Houston, TX 77030