Hybrid Treatment of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome in a Child

A 10-year-old boy with a history of renal failure and hemodialysis by indwelling superior vena cava (SVC) catheters was diagnosed with SVC obstruction and clinically severe SVC syndrome. During attempted recanalization of the SVC in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, he suffered a perforation of his SVC with pericardial tamponade. After treatment of the perforation and relief of tamponade, he underwent a hybrid procedure to recanalize his SVC. A needle and then guidewire were passed directly from the right atrium through the SVC obstruction and were used to successfully dilate and stent the obstruction. (Ann Thorac Surg 2009;88:277-8) (C) 2009 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons