The superior vena cava syndrome: late presentation after hemodialysis catheter removal

The superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is due to obstruction of the SVC and may present by dyspnea, chest pain, cough, headache, dysphasia, and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure; however, the affected patients can be asymptomatic. Numerous collateral veins are often seen on the upper chest, arms and neck. The syndrome may be caused by prolonged use of indwelling catheters, but is an infrequently reported complication in the hemodialysis patients. We report two patients who developed SVC syndrome several months after removal of hemodialysis indwelling catheters. The causes of this syndrome in our patients were stenosis in one patient and thrombosis in the other; venous endothelial injury and subnormal levels of protein C and S were possible contributory factors. These cases illustrate that SVC syndrome is a possible late complication after removal of hemodialysis indwelling catheters.