Intravascular stents for the treatment of venous obstruction

Intravascular stents were primarily designed for use in the arterial system, however, there are many venous disorders that may be effectively treated with these devices. Indeed, they have been placed throughout the venous system to treat venous obstruction. Stents have been used in superior vena cava syndrome, catheter induced stenoses of central veins; most commonly subclavian veins, and stenoses of arterio-venous fistulae to name a few common sites. Another major application of stents in the venous system has been in the creation of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPs) for the treatment of portal hypertension. There are reports of stents being used to treat obstructive hepatic venous webs (Budd-Chiari Syndrome), May-Thurner Syndrome, and even in the veins of the central nervous system. As experience and follow-up with stents increase, new venous applications will be reported.