This clinical report details the results of endovascular treatment of symptomatic superior vena cava syndrome due to central vein stenosis or obstruction (CVSO) by stent angioplasty in patients with dialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease. A 3-year retrospective review of two institutional registries identified 25 chronic hemodialysis patients (17 men, 8 women) affected by CVSO who received endovascular treatment. The majority of the patients (n = 19) presented with symptomatic arm, breast, and facial swelling; and 6 patients presented with dialysis-access dysfunction and venous-line hypertension. The etiology of CVSO was before central venous catheter in all but 2 patients. Venography showed 19 cases of stenosis (4 stenoses of superior vena cava, 3 brachiocephalic, 10 subclavian, and 2 axillary veins) and 6 occlusions of the superior vena cava. After percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and primary stent angioplasty, there was an immediate regression of symptoms and arteriovenous fistula preservation in 21 cases; 4 patients received a new arteriovenous fistula after interventional treatment. No procedural major complications or patient deaths occurred. During the follow-up period, we recorded a primary patency rate of 95%, 80%, and 70%, respectively, at 6, 12, and 18 months; and a secondary patency rate of 100%, 95%, and 90%, respectively, at 6, 12, and 18 months. In conclusion, endovascular treatment with primary stenting has proven to be a durable treatment option for hemodialysis patients with CVSO, and this treatment should be considered before dialysis access placement in patients with catheter-induced central vein obstruction.
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