Vena cava stenting
What is vena cava stenting?
A stent is a metal mesh tube. Vena cava stents are designed for use in the superior vena cava (SVC), which transports deoxygenated blood from the upper part of the body back to the heart. In rarer cases they are used in the inferior vena cava (IVC), which carries the deoxygenated blood from the lower part of the body back to the heart.
Vena cava stenting is used to manage a stenosis (narrowing) or blockage in the vein, which is most commonly caused by a malignant (cancerous) tumour. The procedure may be recommended if you are in an emergency situation, but this depends on your clinical symptoms.
How does the procedure work?
The interventional radiologist will insert a 3 mm plastic tube (called a sheath) into the base of your skull or your groin. They will then guide the sheath near to the stenosis or blockage in the affected vein. The vein will be reopened using a metallic wire and a selective catheter using a technique called recanalisation, after which the vena cava stent is placed.
The stent is self-expanding and acts like a skeleton to keep the vena cava open. If your vena cava is completely blocked due to a tumour, your interventional radiologist may also insert a tiny balloon which inflates once it is in the vein before and after inserting the stent. You will need to take medication that prevents blood clotting for 1-2 weeks following the procedure; the exact time period depends on the type of stent used and your clinical situation.
Why perform it?
The aim of vena cava stenting is to manage symptoms caused by an obstruction of the blood flow in the vein, which is much more common in the SVC than in the IVC.
The main symptom of an obstructed blood flow in the vena cava is shortness of breath, followed by swelling of the face, neck or arms, a headache, a cough and enlargement of the veins in the neck, chest and arms. You may experience other symptoms but they are rare.
Your symptoms should stop within 48 hours of the stent placement.
What are the risks?
There are some minor risks, including the risk of infection and bruising at the puncture site in your neck or groin. Major risks include the risk of the stent accidentally going into the heart during placement, the development of a blood clot, or the stent later becoming blocked due to a tumour, though in this case the vessel can be reopened in a second intervention.