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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
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Stenosis of the Inferior Vena Cava: A Murine Model of Deep Vein Thrombosis
Published on: December 22, 2017
Cyanosis produced by superior vena caval stenosis
Brian E Kogon1, Courtney Plattner, Staci Jennings
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. brian_kogon@emoryhealthcare.org
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|February 23, 2008
Summary
Superior vena cava syndrome, a rare pacemaker complication, can be asymptomatic. This case highlights an unusual venous pathway causing arterial desaturation and cyanosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is an uncommon complication following pacemaker implantation.
- SVC narrowing or occlusion is often asymptomatic due to collateral pathways.
- These collaterals typically decompress into the right atrium.
Observation:
- A patient presented with symptoms of arterial desaturation, cyanosis, and fatigue.
- These symptoms were linked to pacemaker implantation.
- An anomalous venous pathway was identified as the cause.
Findings:
- The anomalous venous pathway facilitated decompression of systemic venous return directly into the left atrium.
- This unusual decompression route led to mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.
- The physiological consequence was systemic arterial desaturation.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of SVC syndrome pathophysiology.
- It highlights the importance of recognizing atypical venous collaterals in pacemaker patients.
- Awareness of such anomalies is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of related symptoms.
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