Total endovenous recanalization and stent reconstruction for naïve non-inferior vena cava filter-associated chronic iliocaval occlusive disease: Placement of 352 venous stents in 69 debilitated patients.

The aim of this study was to report the technical success, adverse events, clinical outcomes, and long-term stent patency of iliocaval stent reconstruction for naïve, non-inferior vena cava (IVC) filter-related, chronic iliocaval thrombosis. A total of 69 patients, including 47 (68%) men, with a mean age of 36 years (range: 8-71 years), underwent first-time iliocaval stent reconstruction for non-IVC filter-associated iliocaval thrombosis. The mean number of prothrombotic risk factors was 2.2 (range: 0-5), including 30 (43%) patients with IVC atresia. Upon initial presentation, the Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, and Pathophysiology (CEAP) classification was C3 in 55 (80%) patients, C4 in four (5.8%) patients, C5 in one (1.4%) patient, and C6 in seven (10%) patients. Technical aspects of stent reconstruction, technical success, adverse events, 2-week and 6, 12, and 24-month clinical response, and 6, 12, and 24-month primary, primary-assisted, and secondary stent patency rates were recorded. Technical success was defined as recanalization and stent deployment. Adverse events were reported according to the Society of Interventional Radiology classification system. Clinical success was defined as a 1-point decrease in CEAP classification and stent patency was defined by the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society guidelines. The technical success rate was 100%. There were 352 venous stents deployed during stent reconstructions. One (1.4%) severe, four (5.8%) moderate, and four (5.8%) minor adverse events occurred and median post-procedure hospitalization was 1 day (range: 1-45 days). Clinical success at 2 weeks and 6, 12, and 24 months was 76%, 85%, 87%, and 100%, respectively. The estimated 6, 12, and 24-month primary patency rates were 91%, 88%, and 62%, respectively. The estimated 6, 12, and 24-month primary-assisted patency rates were 98%, 95%, and 81%, respectively. The estimated 6, 12, and 24-month secondary-assisted patency rates were all 100%. In conclusion, iliocaval stent reconstruction is an effective treatment for non-IVC filter-associated chronic iliocaval thrombosis with high rates of technical success, clinical responses, and stent patency.

Systemic Central Venous Rehabilitation in Congenital Heart Disease.

Chronic venous obstructions resulting from indwelling lines, surgery and instrumentation, and congenital anomalies are increasingly common in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) and other chronic illnesses. Venous obstruction results in threatened long-term vascular access and congestive symptoms. Endovascular therapies are safe and can be effective at rehabilitating obstructed and even occluded veins. The risk of recurrent obstruction is high, however. Post-rehabilitation monitoring and anticoagulation therapy are important, and reinterventions are common. Here, the authors describe techniques to address a variety of venous obstruction lesions that may be encountered in CHD patients and provide illustrative cases.

Perioperative management of venous recanalization in a patient with inherited antithrombin deficiency: case report.

Background: Inherited antithrombin (AT) deficiency (ATD) is a severe thrombophilia causing venous thromboembolism, which can be complicated by postthrombotic syndrome (PTS). Venous recanalization, used to treat PTS, often requires a temporary withdrawal of anticoagulant therapy. In ATD patients, there is a risk of insufficient perioperative anticoagulation due to altered heparin response. Key Clinical Question: There is no consensus on how to manage perioperative anticoagulation in ATD patients. Clinical Approach: Warfarin-unfractionated heparin transition could be a more reliable strategy than low-molecular-weight heparin transition because unfractionated heparin anti-Xa activity not only reflects heparin-bound AT but also AT's activity, which correlates strongly with therapeutic anticoagulation. Biological monitoring could thus decrease the number of plasma-derived AT supplementation. Conclusion: This study describes a successful perioperative management of anticoagulation for venous recanalization that could be suggested to type 1 ATD patients with PTS.

Femoral vein stenting versus endovenectomy as adjuncts to iliofemoral venous stenting in extensive chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction.

PURPOSE: To compare femoral endovenectomy with the creation of an arteriovenous fistula (FE + AVF), versus iliofemoral endovenous stenting with the concurrent extended femoral vein (FV-S) stenting in patients with chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction (IFVO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a randomized prospective single-center study, 48 received (FV-S), while the other 54 had (FE + AVF). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the primary outcomes between the two groups (FV-S) and (FE + AVF) (59% vs 56.8%, 75% vs 79.1%, respectively). At a median of 13 months after the treatment. However, the FV-S group's patients experienced fewer postoperative problems (p = .012), shorter procedures (p = .001), and shorter stays in the hospital (p = .025). CONCLUSION: There is no difference between the efficacy and symptomatic resolution of the FV-S group and the FE + AVF group at the same time, FV-S has lower postoperative complications and a shorter procedure duration and hospital stay.

Central Vein Recanalization and Rehabilitation in Pediatric Patients: Changing the Paradigm for Chronic Occlusions.

Background: Chronic total occlusions in the central venous system limit access and increase morbidity in chronically ill pediatric patients. We report the results of transcatheter recanalization of occluded central veins using angioplasty and stenting. Methods: Patients undergoing successful intervention for venous chronic total occlusions at our institution between April 2013 and December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Sixty-eight occluded central veins in 29 patients underwent recanalization with angioplasty (26 veins) or stenting (42 veins). The indications included limited access for catheterization or central line maintenance (19 patients), limb swelling (4 patients), superior vena cava syndrome (3 patients), and pleural effusion (3 patients). The primary risk factor for occlusion was a history of central venous lines after surgery or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in 76% of the patients. The median age and weight at the time of initial intervention were 5.8 years and 14.5 kg, respectively. There were no major complications. Of 10 patients with symptoms of venous congestion, 8 experienced symptomatic improvement. Twenty-two patients (59 veins) underwent 44 recatheterizations during a median follow-up duration of 288 days. Early reintervention was typically planned. The median time to recatheterization was 71 days. Twenty-one veins reoccluded and required repeat recanalization. Reocclusion was associated with persistent upstream collateral vein decompression, as determined using postintervention venography (odds ratio, 14.2; 95% CI, 3.3-62.6; P < .001), which was thought to indicate persistently poor venous inflow. Reinterventions were performed on 40 veins. Fifty-two veins that were followed up (88%) remained patent after the most recent intervention. Conclusions: Invasive transcatheter rehabilitation of occluded central veins has the potential to preserve critical access sites and improve the symptoms of venous congestion in pediatric patients. Reinterventions are common for reocclusion, restenosis, and somatic growth.

Assessment of the lymphatic system by indirect lymphography in patients with post-thrombotic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Alterations in lower extremity lymph drainage caused by chronic venous obstruction (CVO) have not been well studied, partially because of a lack of standardized imaging modalities to assess the quality of lymphatic drainage in the lower extremities of patients with post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). However, these changes are likely to have an impact on the severity of the disease and clinical outcomes of interventions. In the present study, we investigated the feasibility and diagnostic value of preintervention indirect lymphography in patients with CVO and their pre- and postintervention Villalta scores. METHODS: A total of 17 patients (21 limbs) with iliofemoral and caval CVO were included in the study between 2017 and 2018. The deep and superficial lymphatic vessels in both legs were assessed before venous recanalization and stenting. The quality of lymphatic flow was compared between the legs with CVO and healthy legs. Moreover, the correlation between the lymphatic changes and clinical severity of PTS was evaluated using the Villalta score and CEAP (Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, and Pathophysiology) classification. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 44 ± 12 years, and 10 patients (59%) were women. The patients had undergone treatment at a mean of 25 ± 6 months after their first episode of deep vein thrombosis. Five patients (29%) had had recurrent deep vein thrombosis. The mean pre- and postinterventional Villalta score was 10.5 ± 1.46 and 9.27 ± 1.12, respectively (P = .0096). Using the CEAP classification, four legs were class 5, seven were class 4, and three each were class 3 and 2. The primary and secondary patency rate was 70.5% and 82.5% after a mean follow-up of 18 months, respectively. Indirect lymphography of the superficial and deep lymphatic systems was completed before intervention in both legs for all 17 patients (21 legs). According to the qualitative criteria, abnormal lymphatic vessel function was found in 35.2% of the superficial and 58.8% of the deep lymphatic vessels of the affected legs. Further analysis revealed abnormal function of the deep lymphatic vessels in all patients with moderate to severe PTS according to the Villalta score. CONCLUSIONS: Indirect lymphography is a feasible diagnostic tool to use for the evaluation of the function of lymphatic vessels. Impaired drainage of the deep lymphatic system was found in all our patients with moderate to severe PTS. The clinical significance of these lymphatic changes is not clear; however, an association between clinical severity and outcomes is possible.

Advanced intraoperative imaging guidance for inside-out central venous recanalization using a novel catheter access system.

BACKGROUND: The novel Surfacer Inside-Out recanalization technique facilitates right-sided central venous access in occluded vessels but carries a risk of arterial and pleural injuries. This article demonstrates how an advanced intraoperative imaging protocol can help to avoid these potential complications. METHODS: This retrospective review included patients undergoing the Surfacer Inside-Out central venous recanalization procedure between December 2017 and October 2021. The study sample comprised patients included in the SAVE-US trial at our site as well as patients treated after US Food and Drug Administration approval of the device. All procedures were performed using intraoperative cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) angiography to map out the trajectory of the device through the mediastinum and supraclavicular space with fusion imaging for guidance. Procedures were aborted if CBCT findings predicted injury to arterial or respiratory structures. The intraoperative coronal and sagittal orientation of the device was compared to preoperatively predicted trajectory. RESULTS: A total of 17 procedures were performed in 16 patients with end-stage renal disease and a mean age of 61 ± 11 years. Most patients presented a type 3 central venous occlusion (9/15). Successful recanalization was achieved in 14 of the 17 cases (82.4%) with no intraoperative complications. The procedure had to be aborted in 3 of the 17 cases based on intraoperative CBCT findings, which projected the device to perforate the right pleural space in one patient, the trachea and right subclavian artery in another, and the innominate artery in the third patient. The total radiation dose per procedure was 753 ± 346 mGy and the mean procedural time was 101.6 ± 29.7 minutes. A median of 2 (range, 1-5) intraoperative CBCT scans were performed per patient and accounted for 70% of the total radiation dose. Statistical analysis showed intraoperative CBCT findings to differ significantly from preoperative predicted values. CONCLUSIONS: The nonsteerable and penetrating nature of the Surfacer device may lead to serious complications when performed under fluoroscopic guidance alone. Intraoperative CBCT with fusion overlay enhances the safety and effective use of this device and inside out crossing technique.

Hemodialysis Reliable Outflow (HeRO) graft creation in upper extremities abandoned due to stent obstruction via recanalization and HeRO outflow component insertion across stent interstices.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and outcomes of recanalization and subsequent HeRO graft outflow component insertion across stent interstices in patients with an otherwise abandoned upper extremity. METHODS: Over a 10-year period, 15 patients underwent central venous recanalization by interventional radiology across the interstices of one or more occluded stents for the purpose of subsequent HeRO graft creation. A tunneled central venous catheter was left across the stent and occlusions with tip in right atrium. On a later date, the catheter was used for rapid guidewire access for HeRO graft implantation in the OR by vascular surgery. Procedural and clinical outcomes were determined by retrospective review. Primary and secondary HeRO graft patency rates were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier technique. RESULTS: The technical success rates of recanalization across stent interstices was 100% (15/15). Between one and four overlapping stent walls were traversed. The technical success of the patients who underwent attempted HeRO graft implantation with outflow component traversing across stent interstices was 91% (11/12). No major complications were encountered with either recanalization or HeRO graft implantation. The primary and secondary HeRO patency rates at 12 months were 64% and 80%, respectively. CONCLUSION: HeRO graft insertion across stent interstices is feasible and can provide effective permanent AV access; thus, the presence of stents across the subclavian and brachiocephalic veins should not be considered a contraindication.

Non-invasive recanalization of deep venous thrombosis by high frequency ultrasound in a swine model with follow-up.

AIMS: Pulsed cavitational ultrasound therapy (thombotripsy) allows the accurate fractionation of a distant thrombus. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of non-invasive thrombotripsy using a robotic assisted and high frequency ultrasound approach to recanalize proximal deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in a swine model. METHODS: Occlusive thrombosis was obtained with a dual jugular and femoral endoveinous approach. The therapeutic device was composed of a 2.25 MHz focused transducer centered by a linear ultrasound probe, and a robotic arm. The feasibility, security, and efficacy (venous channel patency) assessment after thrombotripsy was performed on 13 pigs with acute occluded DVT. To assess the mid-term efficacy of this technique, 8 pigs were followed up for 14 days after thrombotripsy and compared with 8 control pigs. The primary efficacy endpoint was the venous patency. Safety was assessed by the search for local vessel wall injury and pulmonary embolism. RESULTS: We succeeded in treating all pigs except two with no accessible femoral vein. After median treatment duration of 23 minutes of cavitation, all treated DVT were fully recanalized acutely. At 14 days, in the treated group, six of the eight pigs had a persistent patent vein and two pigs had a venous reocclusion. In the control group all pigs had a persistent venous occlusion. At sacrifice, no local vein nor arterial wall damage were observed as well as no evidence of pulmonary embolism in all pigs. CONCLUSION: High frequency thrombotripsy seems to be effective and safe for non-invasive venous recanalization of DVT.

Successful Percutaneous Recanalization of a Chronically Occluded Inferior Vena Cava in a Young Child.

Young children with congenital heart disease are undergoing an increasing number of catheter-based interventions. These procedures can lead to obstruction of large central veins, making future interventions more challenging or even impossible. We present a young child with a chronically occluded inferior vena cava (IVC) secondary to prior catheterization-based interventions for congenital heart disease. The IVC was recanalized with serial angioplasty and stent placement with continued patency for over two years. Despite the long duration of obstruction, the IVC was successfully recanalized, eliminating the potential consequences of long-term IVC obstruction and making it easier for future catheter-based interventions, if needed.

Hybrid CT-angiography to facilitate lower extremity sharp venous recanalization: a novel approach to a common procedure.

BACKGROUND: Post-thrombotic syndrome due to chronic venous occlusion is associated with high morbidity and healthcare costs. Sharp venous recanalization has been used with success when conventional techniques fail to cross the occlusion, permitting endovascular reconstruction with angioplasty and stenting. However, manipulation of a needle, especially in extra-anatomic locations, risks damage to adjacent structures, thus necessitating adequate imaging guidance. CASE PRESENTATION: This report describes the novel use of hybrid CT-angiography in a successful recanalization of a complex iliofemoral chronic venous occlusion, after multiple failed attempts with traditional recanalization techniques. The procedure was performed without complications, and stent patency was confirmed at three-month follow-up with patient-reported improvement in severe post-thrombotic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates effective incorporation of hybrid CT-angiography to facilitate complex sharp venous recanalization for chronic lower extremity thrombosis, as an alternative to standard fluoroscopic techniques requiring multiple projections with or without cone-beam CT. Further studies are needed to understand the implications of this strategy.

Closed incisional negative pressure therapy may reduce surgical site infection rate following endophlebectomy with complementary polytetrafluoroethylene arteriovenous fistula of the common femoral vein.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical desobliteration or endophlebectomy of the common femoral vein during deep venous recanalization with complementary polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) arteriovenous fistula (AVF), may lead to higher rates of surgical site infection (SSI). It has been reported that closed incisional negative pressure wound therapy (cINPT) may decrease SSI rates after different surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to determine the potential effect of cINPT on the SSI rate of femoral endophlebectomy with a complimentary PTFE AVF. METHODS: Patients with recanalization of the femoral-iliac veins and femoral endophlebectomy with a complementary PTFE AVF and postoperative cINPT were identified. SSI, patency, and complication rates were analyzed. RESULTS: This study included 65 patients with a mean age of 41 ± 14 years. The mean procedure time was 240 ± 11.9 minutes. Primary patency rate was 69.2% and secondary patency rate was 78.4%. SSI classified as Szilagyi I, II, and III occurred in 7.6% (n = 5), 3% (n = 2), and 7.6% (n = 5), respectively, with an overall SSI rate of 18.2%. Surgical wound revision with the application of a vacuum pump was required in 10.7% (n = 7). A multivariate analysis showed that the duration of the surgical procedure (P = .003) as well as lymphatic fistulas (P = .044) to have a significant impact on the SSI rate. CONCLUSIONS: Endophlebectomy with complementary PTFE AVF of the femoral vein is related to an increased rate of lymphatic leakage and SSI. Lymphatic fistula and the duration of surgery could be assessed as relevant influencing factors of SSI. Application of cINPT in this surgical setting may reduce the SSI rate. Despite this potential improvement, SSI rates still limit the clinical success of a deep venous recanalization.

Intraprocedural guidance for recanalization of post-thrombotic venous lesions using live overlay of center lines from pre-operative cross-sectional imaging: a preliminary experience.

PURPOSE: Pre-procedural contrast-enhanced CT and MRI imaging is typically acquired prior to deep venous recanalization procedures for post-thrombotic syndrome. This technical note reports the utility of live-overlay of augmented centerlines extracted from pre-procedural CT and MRI imaging in facilitating fluoroscopic-guided recanalization of post-thrombotic venous lesions. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Six patients with pre-procedural CT or MR venography data were incorporated into a commercially available 3D overlay software (Vessel Assist, GE Healthcare, Buc, France) during venous disease interventions for post-thrombotic venous lesions. Procedures were performed on the GE Discovery IGS 740 fluoroscopy system. After manual determination of the vasculature from preprocedural CT or MR, centerlines were created representing the location and trajectory of the vessels. Steps showcasing the creation of centerlines and their representation during overlay with real-time fluoroscopic guidance in these cases are outlined. Time required to cross the post-thrombotic and occlusive venous segments were reviewed. RESULTS: All iliocaval recanalization procedures were successfully performed utilizing vessel centerline 3D overlay. In one case where occlusion extended to the femoral vein, mis-registration was identified over the femoral anatomy due to a complex leg rotation compared to pre-procedural imaging. No procedural complications related to utilization of software were noted. Average crossing time for occlusions was 3.4 min (range 1.6-5.2). CONCLUSION: 3D overlay with vessel tracking from pre-procedural CT and MRI imaging is technically feasible and assists in catheter navigation for post-thrombotic venous segments. While results from these preliminary experiences support the continued use of this technology, further prospective and comparative evaluation of this technique is warranted to assess for added value in technical success, reductions in procedure time or reductions in radiation exposure.

Hybrid venous recanalization and cardiac implantable electronic device lead revision procedures: A single-center retrospective analysis of 38 patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the safety and efficacy of hybrid recanalization procedures in a series of patients with obstructed central veins requiring cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) revision. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2016, 38 consecutive patients (24 M; age 60.5 ±â€¯16.2 years; range 25-87 years) with central venous obstruction underwent 42 recanalization interventions performed in conjunction with CIED revision or extraction. Fifty percent of patients (19/38) presented with veno-occlusive symptoms, and 13% (5/38) of patients had CIED leads with an ipsilateral upper extremity dialysis conduit. RESULTS: Ninety-one percent (38/42) of all procedures resulted in successful recanalization and CIED revision. Twenty-four percent (9/38) of all patients required secondary procedures due to recurrent stenosis, and 78% (7/9) of those requiring secondary procedures had indwelling dialysis conduits and/or clinical symptoms related to venous occlusion before the initial procedure. There were complications in 2 patients related to recanalization, and in 3 related to CIED revision. CONCLUSIONS: Recanalization of central venous stenosis/occlusion in patients with CIED can be technically challenging but is successful in most patients. Symptomatic patients and those with dialysis conduits often require more aggressive revascularization interventions and may be at increased risk of complication or need for secondary interventions.

Assessing radiation exposure to patients during endovascular treatment of chronic venous obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Post-thrombotic obstruction can be adequately treated by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting. This procedure is rapidly emerging as a minimally invasive alternative to traditional open surgical operations. However, the patient will be exposed to a significant amount of radiation during preoperative planning and operation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the amount of radiation exposure to patients during venous recanalization. METHODS: All patients undergoing endovenous recanalization from February 2016 to February 2018 were included in this study. The operations were performed in an operating room using a mobile C-arm angiography system. Indirect parameters of cumulative air kerma, kerma-area product, and fluoroscopy time (FT) were recorded concurrently with direct measurements of dose (effective dose [ED]) in the pelvic and neck area using two electronic personal dosimetry devices. The direct measured doses were then correlated with indirect parameters provided by the imaging equipment manufacturers. RESULTS: In total, 78 cases were included in the study. During a median operation time of 154.5 minutes (90-323 minutes), the median FT was 43.7 minutes (15.9-77.7 minutes). Body mass index did not correlate with FT or ED. ED correlated with duration of the intervention (r = 0.59) but better with FT, cumulative air kerma, and kerma-area product (r = 0.76, 0.94, and 1.00, respectively). No patients had evidence of radiation-induced skin injury. CONCLUSIONS: Radiation exposure to patients during endovenous recanalization does not reach the threshold to have a deterministic effect. Indirect parameters of radiation exposure correlated with direct measurements of the ED. Direct dosimetry is likely to be an unnecessary effort for these types of procedures when indirect dose metrics are available.

Radiofrequency Wire Recanalization of Chronically Occluded Venous Stents: A Retrospective, Single-Center Experience in 15 Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Chronically occluded venous stents may be difficult to salvage, necessitating multiple approaches and adjunctive techniques. Radiofrequency wires have been used to cross chronic obstructions in a variety of settings. Herein, radiofrequency wire recanalization (RFWR) of chronically occluded venous stents is presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients (8 males; 7 females) aged 23-74 years (median 42 years) underwent prior venous stenting in the setting of venous occlusions. Seven had an underlying coagulopathy, three had May-Thurner syndrome, three had provoked deep venous thrombosis, one had a dialysis fistula, and one had pacer leads in situ. All indwelling venous stents were chronically occluded and symptomatic. Out of 15 patients, 13 (87%) had iliocaval venous stents, while two (13%) had superior vena cava and/or upper extremity venous stents. After failing conventional and blunt recanalization techniques, RFWR was performed to traverse the chronic occlusions. Technical success and complications were recorded. RESULTS: Fifteen patients underwent 19 procedures. Twelve patients underwent one procedure, two patients had two procedures, and one patient had three procedures. RFWR alone was used in 12/19 (63%) procedures, while 7/19 (37%) required adjunctive sharp recanalization techniques. Technical success or crossing of the occlusion with flow restoration through the occluded segments was achieved in 17/19 (89%). One major and one minor complication occurred. CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency wire recanalization is an effective adjunct to revise chronically occluded venous stents, potentially increasing procedural success in challenging cases.

Detecting stent geometry changes after venous recanalization using duplex ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: Patients with post-thrombotic syndrome due to chronic venous obstruction and resistant to conservative management can benefit from endovenous revascularization. The current study investigated the usefulness of duplex ultrasound in monitoring the stent changes over the time. METHOD: All duplex ultrasound images of treated patients were reviewed retrospectively. The stent diameter and area during the follow-up visits have been analyzed. RESULT: A total of 210 stents were placed in 137 limbs. Duplex ultrasound findings showed a decrease in area of stent in all patients (mean: 0.69 cm2). Reduction of stent area over the time was a predictor of stent patency (odds ratio: 0.910; confidence interval: 0.832-0.997). CONCLUSION: Duplex ultrasound has sufficient accuracy in detection of stent changes and its patency. There is a discrepancy between diameter of the stent lumen in vitro and after deployment in all patients. Stent occlusion is related to reduction of stent lumen over the time rather than the percent of the stenosis.

A case report of thrombosed varicosities of pubic collateral veins: Ideal treatment strategy and contribution of era imaging technologies in diagnosis.

Collateral circulation is an alternative path occurring in case of venous or artery obstruction. This path may usually develop after primary recanalization. In our case, a 62-year-old woman presented to our Emergency Department complaining about a suprapubic swelling with a cyanotic discoloration of the overlying skin for the past 10 days for which she had been previously prescribed antibiotics. Investigation with ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography was performed. An imaging study revealed thrombosed pubic varicose collateral veins due to deep vein obstruction and occlusion of the left external iliac vein. The patient was treated with low-molecular-weight heparin, and swelling subsided gradually. Collateral veins of the abdominal wall and over the pubic tubercle are highly predictive of deep venous obstructive disease proximal to the groin level. These collaterals should never be removed, and the patient should be subjected to a diligent laboratory and imaging investigation.

[A post-thrombotic pelvic congestion syndrome]. / Un syndrome de congestion pelvienne post-thrombotique.

INTRODUCTION: Pelvic congestion syndrome is a chronic pelvic pain syndrome related to pelvic varices developed in the setting of primary venous insufficiency or secondary to venous obstruction. OBSERVATION: We report the case of a 35-year-old patient undergoing anticoagulant therapy for an extensive unprovoked left iliac vein thrombosis, who developed a disabling pelvic congestion syndrome secondary to chronic obstruction of the left iliac vein. Recanalization with stenting of the left iliac vein, combined with antithrombotic treatment with antiplatelet therapy (aspirin 100mg) and anticoagulation (rivaroxaban 20mg) for three months, followed by antiplatelet therapy alone, led to a complete and lasting regression of symptoms. DISCUSSION: Management of pelvic congestion syndrome secondary to post-thrombotic lesions must take into account its pathophysiology. It involves iliac venous angioplasty with stent placement in combination with antithrombotic therapy, which modalities remain to be specified in long-term follow-up.

A "Train-Track" Technique in Anatomic Reconstruction of SVC Bifurcation Complicated by Cardiac Tamponade: An Introspection.

This report describes a stenting technique used to anatomically reconstruct superior vena cava (SVC) bifurcation in a patient with benign SVC syndrome. After recanalizing the SVC bifurcation, we exchanged two 0.035-in. wires for two 0.018-in. wires, deployed the SVC stent over these two wires ("train-track" technique), and stented each innominate vein over one wire. However, our decisions to recanalize both innominate veins, use the "buddy-wire" technique for SVC dilation, and dilate the SVC to 16 mm before stent deployment likely contributed to SVC tear, which was managed by resuscitation, SVC stent placement, and pericardial drainage. Here, we describe the steps of the train-track technique, which can be adopted to reconstruct other bifurcations; we also discuss the controversial aspects of this case.