Endovascular repair of an iatrogenic superior vena caval injury: a case report.

ABSTRACT

We present the case of a patient with an iatrogenic injury to the superior vena cava during a central venous catheter placement. The vena cava was perforated when a left subclavian dialysis catheter was placed. The perforation in the right side of the vena cava occurred at the confluence of the innominate veins. This perforation was successfully repaired using a 10 mm Viabahn stent graft (W. L. Gore, Flagstaff, Ariz) delivered through a femoral approach. The stent graft was deployed as the dialysis catheter was removed. This case demonstrates the utility of stent graft repair of the superior vena cava in emergency situations.