FLUSH AS A FIRST SIGN OF SUPERIOR VENA-CA VA THROMBOSIS

Background. The first sign in the reported case of superior vena cava thrombosis secondary to a pacemaker lead, was exceptional: facial flus h. Case report. A 52-year-old woman had a pacemaker for 10 years for r hythm disorders. She developed facial flush triggered by exercise and anteflexion. The clinical examination revealed collateral thoracic cir culation, suggesting thrombosis of the superior vena cava which was co nfirmed by the angiocavogram. Discussion. Vasomotor flush is an uncomm on and misleading initial sign of superior vena cava thrombosis. Induc tion by exercise and anteflexion is characteristic. Due to the increas ing number of implanted patients, clinicians should be aware that pace maker leads are an uncommon cause of superior vena cava thrombosis.