Percutaneous balloon membranotomy combined with prolonged streptokinase infusion for management of inferior vena cava obstruction

Management of idiopathic Budd-Chiari syndrome with primary stent placement: early results

PURPOSE

To evaluate the utility of primary stent placement in the management of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) secondary to idiopathic inferior vena caval (IVC) obstruction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The case records of nine patients (four women, five men), ranging in age from 22 to 58 years (median, 26 years), with idiopathic IVC obstruction were reviewed. Hepatosplenomegaly, esophageal varices, and prominent collateral veins were found in all patients, while four also had ascites. Hepatic functional reserve was graded as Child class A in three patients and class B in the remaining six. All had at least one patent hepatic vein opening into the IVC below the site of occlusion. Percutaneous angioplasty of the IVC was performed, followed by the placement of double-skirt Gianturco-Rösch or hybrid Gianturco stents. Clinical follow-up was supplemented with duplex ultrasound (n = 8), endoscopy (n = 4), and cavography (n = 2).

RESULTS

Caval lesions were segmental. Revascularization was technically successful in all patients. The median pressure gradient across the lesion dropped from 38 mm Hg (range, 27-61 mm Hg) to 15 mm Hg (range, 10-20 mm Hg) (P = .008). Residual stenosis after stent placement ranged from 9% to 40% (median, 20%). One patient died of presumed pulmonary embolism; another patient experienced an episode of epistaxis. The procedure was followed by regression of signs and symptoms in the eight survivors. During the follow-up period (range, 3-31 months; median, 7 months) the IVC remained patent in all patients, and clinical features of BCS did not recur.

CONCLUSION

Primary stent placement could serve as the first line of treatment in patients with idiopathic BCS when the underlying lesion is not amenable to angioplasty.

Budd-Chiari syndrome

Budd-Chiari syndrome is the generic term for different forms of hepatic venous outflow obstruction resulting in a clinical picture of portal hypertension and hepatomegaly. Three levels of venous outflow obstruction may be recognized, affecting respectively the small intrahepatic (IVC). Each level of obstruction is related to a different aetiology. Clinical manifestations range from mild symptoms to acute or chronic end-stage liver disease. Treatment is surgical in the great majority of patients. Occlusion of the IVC may be treated by removal of the caval obstruction in selected patients. Hepatic outflow obstruction may be circumvented by different forms of shunting from the portal or upper mesenteric vein to the IVC or right atrium, depending on the level of obstruction and the difference in venous pressure. For the rare patient presenting with acute or chronic end-stage liver failure, hepatic transplantation may be a life-saving procedure.

Pulse-spray thrombolysis of inferior vena cava thrombosis complicating filter placement

Inferior vena cava thrombosis is an uncommon but potentially serious complication of caval filter placement. A 34-year-old man with symptomatic caval thrombosis, which occurred 6 weeks after filter placement, was successfully treated with a combination of pulse-spray and local infusion of urokinase.