Two hemodialysis patients presenting with left venous arm congestion due to
benign catheter-induced stenosis of the left brachiocephalic vein were tre
ated by angioplasty and stent placement. External compression of the stents
was responsible for rapid recurrence of the symptoms. No osseous or vascul
ar malformation could be identified. Mechanical constraints induced by resp
iratory chest wall motion and aortic arch flow-related pulsation are propos
ed to explain this observation. This potential hazard should be considered
when stent placement into the left brachiocephalic vein is advocated. (J Va
sc Surg 2000;32:392-6.).