Summary
Superior vena cava syndrome associated with a pacemaker cable
Alonso Vega L, Herreras Martínez RM, Puebla Gómez A, Granda Miguel C
Affiliation of the authors
Emergency department. Servicio de Medicina Interna. 3Medicina Familiar and Comunitaria. Hospital de Laredo. Cantabria, Spain.
DOI
Quote
Alonso Vega L, Herreras Martínez RM, Puebla Gómez A, Granda Miguel C. Superior vena cava syndrome associated with a pacemaker cable. Emergencias. 2009;21:151-3
Summary
Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is a rare disorder usually caused by a neoplasm,
although other causes are involved in about 20% of cases. Such other causes are
chronic fibrosing mediastinitis due to infection or radiation (42%-70%) and venous
thrombosis (6%-27%). The prevalence of SVCS ranges from 0.03% to 0.4% but,
because intravenous catheters (for pacemakers and defibrillators) are being implanted
in a growing number of patients, the frequency is rising spectacularly. We report the
case of a woman with SVCS related to a pacemaker cable. Interesting features of the
case include the manner of detection and diagnosis. We emphasize the importance of
physical appearance and the diagnostic and therapeutic measures to take.