Endovenous and Operative Treatment of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

Abstract

Few areas of venous disease provide a more satisfying experience for both the patient and the vascular specialist than reconstruction for superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome. Relief from severe, frequently incapacitating symptoms of venous congestion of the head and neck is almost instantaneous, and benefit after reconstruction is generally long lasting. This article reviews the etiologic factors, clinical presentation, and diagnostic evaluation of SVC syndrome, and current techniques and results for the endovascular and open surgical treatment of SVC occlusion.

Keywords: Endovenous stenting; Femoral vein; SVC bypass; Spiral saphenous; Superior vena cava.