Bd. Petersen et Bt. Uchida, Long-term results of treatment of benign central venous obstructions unrelated to dialysis with expandable Z stents, J VAS INT R, 10(6), 1999, pp. 757-766
PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term patency of self-expanding Z stents for treat
ment of benign central venous obstructions unrelated to dialysis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Z stents were placed in 19 patients, (ages 26-72 yea
rs) with severe symptomatic obstructions of the superior or inferior venae
cavae and their large branches and portal vein caused by surgical or cathet
er injury (n = 8), fibrosis (n = 5), cirrhosis (n = 3), Budd-Chiari syndrom
e (n = 2), and extrinsic compression (n = 1), Fourteen patients underwent s
tent placement primarily, five after local urokinase infusion for superimpo
sed thrombosis. Follow-up was performed with ultrasound and venography.
RESULTS: Venous congestive symptoms quickly resolved in all patients after
stent placement. The follow-up period was from 1 to 94 months. Twelve patie
nts have died during follow-up from 1 to 37 months although all remained as
ymptomatic until death. Six patients remain alive, asymptomatic, with paten
t stents, and with follow-up from 24 to 94 months. Primary patency was 83%,
and secondary patency was 100%. One patient with a patent stent at 12 mont
hs was lost to follow-up. No stent migrations, perforations, infections, or
significant complications occurred.
CONCLUSION: Benign central venous obstructions are effectively treated by t
he placement of self-expandable Z stents. Placed percutaneously into obstru
ctive lesions with a minimum risk, these stents offer long-term durability
and patency.