SUPERIOR VENA-CAVA SYNDROME AFTER IMPLANTATION OF A TRANSVENOUS CARDIOVERTER-DEFIBRILLATOR

Superior vena cava syndrome is a rare, but nevertheless well known com plication of permanent pacemaker implantation. Nowadays cardioverter d efibrillators are also routinely implanted transvenously. A superior v ena cava syndrome occurred in a 48-year-old female 2 years after impla ntation of cardioverter defibrillator. The clinical problem, in the pr esence of a predisposing thrombophilic condition (circulating lupus an ticoagulant), resolved only partially after treatment with thrombolyti cs and oral anticoagulation. This syndrome should be recognized as a p ossible important complication of defibrillator therapy and requires l ifelong anticoagulation.